Glossary of Sociolinguistics

Alicia Casiano Salgado

Project - Unit 1

Glossary of Sociolinguistics

Communicative Competence

Code-Switching

Code

Creole

Abbreviations/Internet Abbreviations

Ethnolect

Diglossia

Diachronic Linguistics

Idiolect

Dialect

Phonological Variation

Morphological Variation

Linguistic Variation

Pidgin

Lexical Variation

Sociolinguistics

Sociolect

Register

Standard Language

Pragmatic Variation

Synchronic Linguistics

Syntactic Variation

Communicative Competence

The ability to use language effectively in different social contexts, including four key components: Linguistic competence – Knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Sociolinguistic competence – Understanding language use in social contexts. Discourse competence – Ability to connect sentences coherently. Strategic competence – Using strategies to overcome communication difficulties.

Creole

A stable, fully developed language that emerges from a pidgin and becomes the native language of a community.

Code

A system of communication, often referring to a language or dialect used by a specific group.

Abbreviations/Internet Abbreviations

Shortened forms of words or phrases commonly used in written communication, especially online (e.g., LOL, BTW).

Code-Switching

The practice of alternating between two or more languages or language varieties within a conversation.

Ethnolect

A language variety associated with a particular ethnic group.

Idiolect

The unique linguistic style of an individual speaker.

Diachronic Linguistics

The study of how languages change over time.

Dialect

A regional or social variety of a language with distinct phonological, lexical, and grammatical features.

Diglossia

A situation where two language varieties coexist in a community, often with one used in formal settings and the other in informal speech.

Lexical Variation

Differences in word choice among speakers of the same language, often influenced by region or social factors.

Pidgin

A simplified language that develops between speakers of different native languages to facilitate communication, often in trade or colonization contexts.

Morphological Variation

Differences in word formation and structure across dialects or social groups.

Phonological Variation

Differences in pronunciation among speakers of the same language.

Linguistic Variation

The diversity in language use due to social, regional, or contextual factors.

Pragmatic Variation

Differences in how language is used in different social and cultural contexts, including politeness and indirectness.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language interacts with society, including variation based on factors like region, class, and ethnicity.

Sociolect

A language variety spoken by a particular social class or group.

Standard Language

The prestige variety of a language used in formal settings, education, and official communication.

Register

A language variety used for a specific purpose or in a particular social setting (e.g., formal, informal, technical).

Syntactic Variation

Differences in sentence structure and grammar across dialects or social groups.

Synchronic Linguistics

The study of a language at a specific point in time, without focusing on historical changes.