CHAPTER 1
1.1 Sociolinguistics
1.1.1A description
Sociolinguistic is the study of language attached to the society. For a long time, there
was a study concern dialects and the relations between word-meaning and culture. Recently,
linguistics focus on the nature of language and the nature of society. The study of
sociolinguistic is based on facts and personal experience. Personal experience consider as a
rich exporter of information. However, some linguistics find that is dangerous because we
cannot rely on it a hundred percent. Last ten years, the sociolinguistic has developed thanks
to the empirical discoveries made in the course of systematic research project.
1.1.2 Sociolinguistics and linguistics
There is a difference between linguistics and sociolinguistics. To start with
sociolinguistics, they are interested of the structure of a language, to eliminate the social
contexts in which it is learned and utilized. However, linguistics are interested on the rules of
language x” then the sociolinguistics enter and study any links at which these rules attached
with society. For example, where alternative methods of expressing the same thing are
selected by various social groups.
1.1.3 Sociolinguistics and the sociology of language
In this section we will clarify the difference between sociolinguistics and the
sociology of language. Sociolinguistic is the study of language in relation to society, it throws
the light on the nature on the structure of language. This idea refers to micro-sociolinguistics.
In contrast, sociology of language is the study of society in relation to language. It focuses on
studying language to understand the society. This idea known as macro-sociolinguistics.
1.2 Sociolinguistic phenomena
1.2.1 An imaginary world
This section is unreal, it is just an example to illustrate the sociolinguistic phenomena.
We create an imaginary world-an ideal one. The society is clearly defined boundary and
everyone speak the same language (the youngest and the oldest generation). This two thing
create a great consequences. First, language change is definitely ruled out. Because there is
no difference between the oldest and youngest generation. The second consequence of that
community is that the circumstances have no effect on people's language both content and
form. There are no formal and informal statues. Finally, there is no connection between the
culture of society and the meaning of its language.
1.2.2 A real but exotic world
Unlike the previous section, we will discuss now a real but exotic world, this
world exist in the North West amazon, the area divided into two part half in Brazil and
half in Colombia. They use a language called Tukno which is a lingua franca. Most of the
people are indigenous Indians separated into over 20 tribes and they’re grouped into two
five phratries. There three crucial facts about this community. First, each tribe speak a
various language. Second, the five phratries are exogamous. Third, the marriage is
patrilocal. There is a linguistic consequence of this fact which is the wife should use the
husband language. Language arise two problems in relation to this society. First, who are
its native speaker? Second, how is speech used in social interaction such as travel, find a
partner.
1.2.3 A real and familiar world
Readers are now called to look at the world in which they grew up, they will find
that their own language is related to their society.
1.3 Speakers and communities
1.3.1 Conformity and individualism
In this part, we will see two important forces, the individualism and conformity.
To begin with, the uniqueness of each person, society compose of individuals. Therefore,
it is important to keep individuals in the center of attention because the individual speaker
is important in sociolinguistic. In addition to that, we must keep in mind that there is no
two speakers have identical language because it is impossible to have two speakers have
the same experience of language. The second force is the agreement always found
between speakers. For more clarify, the degree of likeness generally exist among
speakers. It goes well beyond what is required for good interaction. As a result,
conformity will control in some society and individualism in others. The terms focusing
and diffusion have been proposed for this kind of status.
1.3.2 The sociolinguistic development of the child
The linguistic models which kid follow are four stages. First stage is babyhood,
the models are parents. Second stage is childhood, the models are children of the identical
age. Third stage is adolescence, the models are the adolescence but the base of language
have already been acquired. Finally, the adulthood stage, the models are other adults.
