Biri Ioana-Maria

An III
Romn-Englez

Sociolectul

Sociolect
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In sociolinguistics, a sociolect or social dialect is a variety of language (a register) associated
with a social group such as a socioeconomic class, an ethnic group (precisely termed ethnolect),
an age group, etc.[1]

Sociolects involve both passive acquisition of particular communicative practices through

association with a local community, as well as active learning and choice among speech or
writing forms to demonstrate identification with particular groups.[2]

Individuals who study sociolects are called sociolinguists. Sociolinguists study language
variation. Sociolinguists define a sociolect by examining the social distribution of specific
linguistic terms. For example, a sociolinguist would examine the use of the second person
pronoun "you" for its use within the population. If one distinct social group used 'yous' as the
plural form of the pronoun then this could indicate the existence of a sociolect. A sociolect is
distinct from a dialect because social class rather than geographical subdivision substantiates the
unique linguistic features.[3]

Contents [hide]
1

Overview

The difference between sociolects and dialects

Definitions

Examples

4.1

Tamil Caste System

4.2

Norwegian socioeconomic sociolect

4.3

Diglossia

4.4

AAVE - African American Vernacular English

Effects

5.1

Code-switching

5.2

Discrimination

See also

References

Overview[edit]
A sociolect, defined by Peter Trudgill, a leading sociolinguist and philosopher, is a variety or
lect which is thought of as being related to its speakers social background rather than
geographical background.[4] This idea of sociolect began with the commencement of
dialectology, the study of different dialects in relation to social society, which has been
established in countries such as England for many years, but only recently has the field garnered
more attention.[5] However, as opposed to dialect, the basic concept of a sociolect is that a
person speaks in accordance with their social group whether it is with regard to ones ethnicity,
age, gender, etc. As William Labov once said, the sociolinguistic viewis that we are
programmed to learn to speak in ways that fit the general pattern of our communities.[6]

Therefore, what we are surrounded with in unison with our environment determines how we
speak; hence, our actions and associations.

The difference between sociolects and dialects[edit]

The main distinction between a sociolect and dialect, which are continually confused, are the
settings they are created in. A dialects main identifier is geography where a certain region uses
specific phonological, morphosyntactic, or lexical rules.[7] Asif Agha expands and specializes
this concept by stating that, the case where the demographic dimension marked by speech are
matters of geographic provenance along, such as speakers birth locale, extended residence and
the like.[8] On the opposite side, a sociolects main identifier are things such as socioeconomic
class, age, gender, and ethnicity spoken in a certain speech community.

An example of a dialectal difference based on region is the use of the words soda or pop
and coke in different parts of the United States. As Thomas E. Murray states, coke is used
generically by thousands of people, especially in the southern half of the country.[9]
Contrastively, pop is known to be a term that is used by many citizens in the northern half of the
country.

An example of a sociolect difference based on social grouping is the deletion of copulas in

African American Vernacular English. The deletion occurs in a specific ethnic group, but in all
areas of the United States.[10] As William Labov gives an example, he here instead of hes
here.[11]

Definitions[edit]
Code switching is "the process whereby bilingual or bidialectal speakers switch back and forth
between one language or dialect and another within the same conversation."[12]

Diglossia, associated with the American linguist Charles A. Ferguson, which describes
sociolinguistic situation such as those that obtain in Arabic-speaking countries and in Germanspeaking Switzerland. In such a diglossic community, the prestigious standard of High(or H)
variety, which is linguistically related to but significantly different from the vernacular or Low
(or L) varieties, has no native speakers.[13]

Domain is "Different language, dialects, or styles are used in different social contexts."[14]

Language Attitudes are "social in origin, but that they may have important effects on language
behavior, being involved in acts of identity, and on linguistic change."[15]

Linguistic variable is "a linguistic unitinitially developedin order to be able to handle

linguistics variation. Variables may be lexical and grammatical, but are most often
phonological. Example of British English (h) which is sometimes present and sometimes not.
[16]

Pragmatics is the meaning of a word in social context, while semantics has "purely linguistic
meaning."[17]

Register is "a language variety that is associated with a particular topic, subject, or activity...."
Usually it is defined by vocabulary, but has grammatical features as well.[18]

Examples[edit]

Tamil Caste System[edit]

The following is an example of the lexical distinction between the Mudaliyar and the Iyengar
groups of the Tamil-speaking caste in India. The Iyengar group is part of the Brahmin caste
which is scholarly and higher in the caste hierarchy than the non-Brahmin, or Mudaliyar, caste.
[19] The Mudaliyars use many of the same words for things that are differentiated within the
Iyengars speech. For example, as you can see below, the difference between drinking water,
water in general, and non-potable water is used by one word in the non-Brahmin caste and three
separate words in the Brahmin caste. Furthermore, Agha references how the use of different
speech reflects a departure from a group-internal norm.[20] For example, if the non-Brahmin
caste uses Brahmin terms in their mode of speech it is seen as self-raising, where as if people
within the Brahmin caste use non-Brahmin speech it is seen as pejoratives.[21] Therefore,
depending on which castes use certain words the pragmatics change. Hence, this speech system
is determined by socioeconomic class and social context.

Example 1

Gloss Mudaliyar (non-Brahmin)

Drinking Water

tanni tirrto

Water in general

tanni jalo

Non-potable water

tanni tanni

Worship
food

Iyengar (Brahmin)

puuse puuje

sooru saado

worship

puuse puuje 'worship'// puuse 'punishment for children'

food

sooru/ saado saado 'food'// sooru 'food' (pejorative)

eat

tinnu/saapdo saapdo 'eat'// tinnu 'guzzle, etc.' (pejorative)

Norwegian socioeconomic sociolect[edit]

Example 2

In the following example, we see the difference between the national standard and the colloquial
speech found in Norway where the phonology and pronunciation differ. As Agha states, Some
lexical contrasts are due to phonological difference (e.g., R makes more consonantal and vocalic
distinctions than B), while others are due to morphological difference (e.g., difference in plural
suffixes and certain verb inflections) between two varieties.[22]

Gloss National Standard (Bokml, B)

I

Jjj

you

Djj Deg

He

Hann Hanj

She

Hunn Ho

If

Viss

To, toward

Local Variety (Ranaml,R)

Og

Vess
Till

Who

Vemm Kem

How

Vordan Kelesn

Tell

Diglossia[edit]
Example 3

The chart below gives an example of Diglossia in Arab-speaking nations and where it is used.
Diglossia is defined by Mesthrie as, [a] situation where two varieties of a language exist side

by side.[23] The Classical Arabic is known as , or al-fus h , while the colloquial dialect
depends on the country. For example, is spoken in Lebanon and parts of Syria. In many
situations, there is a major lexical difference among words in the classical and colloquial speech,
as well as pronunciation differences, such as a difference in short vowels, when the words are the
same. Although, a specific example of Diglossia was not given, its social context is almost if not
more important. For example, Halliday tells us that, in areas with Diglossia, the link between
language and success is apparent as the higher, classical register is learned through formal
education.[24]

Sermon in Church or Mosque X

Instructions to servants, waiters, workmen, clerks, etc.
Personal Letter

Speech in parliament, political speech

University Lecture

Conversation with family, friends, colleagues

News broadcast

Radio 'soap opera'

Newspaper editorial, news story, caption on picture

Caption on political cartoon

Poetry X
Folk literature

AAVE - African American Vernacular English[edit]

Example 4

Below is an example of the addition of the verbal s not just on 3rd person singular verbs in the
present tense like in SAE, but added onto infinitives, first person present verbs, and 3rd person
past perfect verbs. [25]

He can goes out.

I dont know how to gets no girls.
Hed knows that.
Further examples of phenomenon in AAVE are provided below.

Below are examples of the lack of the possessive ending s is usually absent in AAVE but
contains a rule As Labov shows states, [the] use s to indicate possession by a single noun or
pronoun, but never between the possessor and the possessed. [26]

This is hers, This is mines, This is Johns, but not in her book, my book, John book [27]

Interview with Bryan A., seven years old, a struggling reader in a West Philadelphia elementary
school:

If I dont get out my mom room, I get in trouble and when I dont get out my sister room she hit
me.
Bernicia penpal gave me one.

Thats what he did to my cousin Raymond dog at my cousin house.

I was acting like I stole my sister food.
At the museum, it was fun, we went in somebody heart. [28]
Effects[edit]
Code-switching[edit]
Many times within communities that contain sociolects that separate groups linguistically it is
necessary to have a process where the independent speech communities can communicate in the
same register; even if the change is as simple as different pronunciation. Therefore, the act of
codeswitching becomes essential. Codeswitching is defined as, the process whereby bilingual or
bidialectal speakers switch back and forth between one language or dialect and another within
the same conversation [29] At times codeswitching can be situational, depending on the
situation or topical, depending on the topic. Halliday terms this the best when he defines the role
of discourse stating that, it is this that determines, or rather correlates with, the role played by
the language activity in the situation [30] Therefore, meaning that which register is used
depends on the situation and lays out the social context of the situation, because if the wrong
register is used, then the wrong context is placed on the words. Furthermore, referring back to
the diglossia expressed in the Arab-speaking world and the Tamil caste system in India, which
words are used must be appropriate to not only the social class of the speaker, but the situation,
the topic, and the need for courtesy. A more comprehensive definition is stated, Code-switching
is not only a definition of situation but an expression of social hierarchy [31]

For examples of the use of speech within certain situation refer back to the chart on Classical and
Colloquial Arabic.

For an example of dialect selection based on topic refer below:

As Trudgill defines it the Aravanikita is, the name given in Greece given to the language of the
indigenous Albanian-speaking linguistic minority in that country. [32] This community is
different linguistically than the surrounding area and must use their language accordingly. For
example, nowadays, Arvanitika is only used at home and other situations, such as in school
during games, on the playground, or for chatting up girls, while only Greek is spoken in class.
[33] Therefore, it is both topical and situational in context.

Discrimination[edit]
The Arvanitika community also suffers from discrimination because they are cast under
stereotypes by the use of their native language. As Garrett writes, a number of Arvanites had
suffered from what they regarded as discrimination, particularly during military service, and at
school".[34] Even though, the language is the only thing that differentiates them from the
surrounding Greeks, it still defines them as a distinct class and places them within a social
hierarchy. Furthermore, within societies that maintain a diglossic state, the High (H) and Low
(L) forms serve as a basis for discrimination. As Mesthrie writes, Since the H form is learned
via formal education, diglossia can be a means of excluding people from access to full
participation in society.[35]

See also[edit]
Dialect
Pidgin
Creole language
Argot
Ethnolect
Idiolect

Chronolect
Jargon
Language and gender
Prestige (sociolinguistics)
Slang
Sociolinguistics
References[edit]
Jump up ^ Wolfram, Walt (2004). "Social varieties of American English". In E. Finegan and J.R.
Rickford. Language in the USA: Themes for the Twenty-first Century. Cambridge University
Press. ISBN 0-521-77747-X.
Jump up ^ Martin Durrell. Sociolect. In: Sociolinguistics. An International Handbook of the
Science of Language and Society. Edited by Ulrich Ammon, et al. Walter de Gruyter, 2004, pp.
200205
Jump up ^ Eifring, Halvor. "7 Language and Variation". Linguistics for Students of Asian and
African

Languages.

http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ikos/EXFAC03-

AAS/h05/larestoff/linguistics/. External link in |title= (help)

Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 122. Print.
Jump up ^ Halliday, M. Language and Society. London;New York: Continuum, 2007. 26. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 6. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 35. Print.

Jump up ^ Agha, Asif. Language and Social Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2007. 135. Print.
Jump up ^ Murray, Thomas E.. "From Trade Name to Generic: The Case of Coke." Trans. Array
Names: A Journal of Onomastics. Maney Publishing, 1995. 165-86. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 48. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 38. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 23. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 389. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 41. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 73. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 83. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 107. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. A Glossary of Sociolinguistics. Oxford;New York: Oxford University
Press, 2003. 110. Print.
Jump up ^ Agha, Asif. Language and Social Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2007. 136. Print.

Jump up ^ Agha, Asif. Language and Social Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2007. 139. Print.
Jump up ^ Agha, Asif. Language and Social Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2007. 138. Print.
Jump up ^ Agha, Asif. Language and Social Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2007. 140. Print.
Jump up ^ Mesthrie, Rajend. Introducing Sociolinguistics. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: John Benjamins
Pub., 2009. 38. Print.
Jump up ^ Halliday, M. Language and Society. London;New York: Continuum, 2007. 175. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 49. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 49. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 49. Print.
Jump up ^ Labov, William. Dialect Diversity in America: the Politics of Language Change.
Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012. 49. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. On Dialect: Social and Geographical Perspectives. New York: New
York University Press, 1983. 23. Print.
Jump up ^ Halliday, M. Language and Society. London;New York: Continuum, 2007. 20. Print.
Jump up ^ Halliday, M. Language and Society. London;New York: Continuum, 2007. 137. Print.
Jump up ^ Trudgill, Peter. On Dialect: Social and Geographical Perspectives. New York: New
York University Press, 1983. 10. Print.
Jump up ^ Garrett, Peter. Investigating Language Attitudes: Social Meanings of Dialect,
Ethnicity and Performance. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2003. 129. Print.

Jump up ^ Garrett, Peter. Investigating Language Attitudes: Social Meanings of Dialect,

Ethnicity and Performance. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2003. 130. Print.
Jump up ^ Mesthrie, Rajend. Introducing Sociolinguistics. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: John Benjamins
Pub., 2009. 38. Print.

Sociolect

n sociolingvistic, sociolectul sau dialectul social este o variant a limbii (un registru)
asociat cu un grup social precum o clas socioeconomic, o etnie (termenul mai specific fiind
etnolect), un grup dup criteriul vrstei etc.
Sociolectele implic att achiziia pasiv a anumitor practici comunicative prin asocierea
cu o comunitate local, ct i nvarea activ i alegerea dintre formele vorbirii i ale scrierii
pentru a demonstra identificarea cu anumite grupuri.
Oamenii care se ocup cu studiul sociolectelor se numesc sociolingviti. Sociolingvitii
studiaz variaia unei limbi. Sociolingvitii definesc sociolectul prin examinarea distribuirii
sociale a unor anumii termeni lingvistici. De exemplu, un sociolingvist ar examina utilizarea
pronumelui de persoana a II-a you (limba englez) n cadrul populaiei. Dac un grup distinct
social folosete yous drept forma la plural a pronumelui, atunci acest fapt ar putea indica
existena unui sociolect. Un sociolect este diferit fa de un dialect, pentru c o clas social, mai
degrab dect subdiviziunile geografice fudamenteaz caracteristicile lingvistice unice.

Rezumat
Un sociolect, definit de Peter Trudgill, un sociolingvist i filosof de top, este o variant
sau un lect care e cunoscut ca fiind asociat cu contextul social al vorbitorilor mai degrab dect
cu un context geografic. Ideea sociolectului a nceput cu dialectologia, studiul diferitelor
dialecte n relaie cu societatea, care s-a stabilit n ri precum Anglia, pentru mul i ani, dar doar
recent acest domeniu a atras mai mult atenie. ns, n opoziie cu dialectul, conceptul de baz al
unui sociolect este faptul c o persoan vorbete n conformitate cu grupul su social, fie c este
vorba de etnie, vrs, gen etc. Aa cum a afirmat William Labov, viziunea sociolingvistic...este
c suntem programai s nvm s vorbim n moduri care se ncadreaz n tiparul general al
comunitilor noastre. Prin urmare, ceea ce ne nconjoar n concordan cu mediul nostru
determin cum vorbim, n consecin i aciunile i asocierile noastre.
Diferena dintre sociolecte i dialecte
Distincia principal ntre sociolect i dialect, care sunt ncontinuu confundate, este
reprezentat de cadrele n care sunt create. Identificatorul principal pentru un dialect este

geografia unde o anumit regiune folosete reguli fonologice, morforsintactice sau lexicale
specifice. Asif Agha dezvolt i specializeaz conceptul, afirmnd: cazul n care dimensiune
demografic marcat de vorbire reprezint subiectul unei proveniene geografice, precum
localitatea naterii vorbitorului, rezidena existins de acelai fel. Pe de alt parte, principalul
identificator al unui sociolect este reprezentat de lucruri precum clasa socioeconomic, vrsta,
genul i etnicitatea vorbit ntr-o anumit comunitate de discurs.
Un exemplu de diferen dialectal bazat pe regiune este folosirea cuvintelor soda
sau pop i coke (pentru o butur carbogazoas) n diferite pri ale Statelor Unite. Aa cum
afirm Thomas E. Murray, coke este folosit generic de mii de oameni, n special n jumtatea
sudic a rii. Spre deosebire de acesta, pop este cunoscut drept un termen care este folosit de
muli ceteni n jumtatea nordic a rii.
Un exemplu de diferen n ceea ce privete sociolectul bazat pe o grupare social
este eliminare verbelor copulative n engleza vernacular african-american. Aceast eliminare
apare ntr-un anumit grup etnic, dar n toate zonele Statelor Unite. William Lebov d exemplul
he here (el aici) n loc de hes here (el este aici).

Definiii
Schimbarea codului este procesul prin care vorbitorii bilingvi sau bidialectali fac
trecerea de la o limb la alta sau de la un dialect la altul n cadrul aceleiai conversaii.
Diglosia, asociat cu lingvistul american Charles A. Ferguson, descrie o situa ie
sociolingvistic precum cea a celor din rile vorbitoare de arab i n Elve ia, partea n care se
vorbete germana. ntr-o astfel de comunitate diglosic, standardul pregtigios al variantei High
(sau H), care este lingvistic asociat cu, dar n mod semnificativ diferit fa de variantele
vernaculare sau Low (sau L), nu are vorbitori nativi.
Domeniul e reprezentat de limba, dialecte sau stiluri diferite folosite n contexte sociale
diferite.

Atitudinile lingvistice sunt sociale la origine, dar s-ar putea s nu aib efecte importante
asupra comportamentului lingvistic, fiind implicate n acte de identitate i n schimbarea
lingvistic.
Variabila lingvistic este o unitate lingvistic...iniial dezvoltat...pentru a putea fi
capabili s facem fa variaiei lingvistice. Variabilele pot fi lexicale sau gramaticale, dar ele sunt
cel mai adesea fonologice. Exemplul englezei britanice (h) care este uneori prezent, iar, alteori,
nu.
Pragmatica este semnificaia unui cuvnt n context social, n timp ce semantica are o
semnificaie pur lingvistic.
Registrul este o variant a limbii care este asociat cu un anumit subiect, o anumit
persoan sau activitate.... De obicei, este definit de vocabular, dar are, de asemenea,
caracteristici gramaticale.

Exemple
Sistemul de caste Tamil
Ceea ce urmeaz este un exemplu de distincie lexical ntre grupurile Mudaliyar i
Iyengar a castei vorbitoare de Tamil, din India. Grupul Iyengar face parte din casta Brahmin, care
este erudit i mai nalt n ierarhia castelor dect casta non-Brahmin sau Mudaliyar. Mudaliyarii
folosesc n multe cazuri aceleai cuvinte pentru lucruri care sunt difereniate n cadrul discursului
Iyengarilor. De exemplu, aa cum se poate vedea mai jos, pentru diferena dintre ap potabil,
ap n general i ap nebubil, se folosete un singur cuvnt n casta non-Brahmin i trei cuvinte
separate n cadrul castei Brahmin. Mai mult dect att, Agha pune referin ele modului n care
uzul unui discurs diferit reflect o abatere de la norma intern a grupului. De exemplu, dac
aceast cast non-Brahmin folosete termenii castei Brahmin n tipul ei de discurs, acest fapt este
vzut drept un autodidacticism, n timp ce, dac oamenii din cadrul castei Brahmin folosesc
discursul care aparine castei non-Bramin, acest fapt fiind unul peiorativ. Mai mult dect att, n
funcie de care caste folosesc anumite cuvinte, pragmatica se schimb. Aadar, sistemul
discursului este determinat de clasa socioeconomic i de contextul social.

Exemplul 1
Explicaie
Ap potabil
Ap n general
Ap nebubil
Idolatrizare
Mncare
Idolatrizare

Mudaliyar (non-Brahmin)
tanni
tanni
tanni
puuse
sooru
puuse

Iyengar (Brahmin)
tirrto
jalo
tanni
puuje
saado
puuje (idolatrizare) // puuse

Mncare

sooru/ saado

(pedeaps pentru copii)

saado (mncare) // sooru

tinnu/ saapdo

(mncare peiorativ)
saapdo (a mnca) // tinnu (a se

A mnca

ndopa peiorativ)

Sociolectul socioeconomic norvegian

n urmtorul exemplu, observm diferena dintre standardul naional i vorbirea
colocvial din Norvegia, unde fonologia i pronunia difer. Aa cum afirm Agha: Unele
contraste lexicale se datoreaz diferenei fonologice (de exemplu, R determin distincii mai
consonantice i vocalice dect B), n timp ce altele se datoreaz diferen ei morfologice (de
exemplu, diferena n sufixele pentru plural i anumite inflexiuni verbale) ntre dou variante.

Exemplul 2

Explicaie
I
You
He
She
If

Standard naional (Bokmal, B)

Joejj
Doejj
Hann
Hunn
Viss

Variant local (Ranamal, R)

Og
Deg
Hanj
Ho
Vess

To, toward
Who
How

Till
Vemm
Vordan

Tell
Kem
Kelesn

Diglosie
Tabelul de mai jos ofer un exemplu de diglosie n cadrul naiunilor vorbitoare de arab i
unde se folosete. Diglosia este definit de Mesthrie ca o situaie n care dou variante ale limbii
exist una alturi de cealalt. Araba clasic e cunoscut drept sau al-fusha, n timp ce
dialectul local depinde de ar. De exemplu, este vorbit n Lebanon i n pri din Siria. n
multe situaii, este o diferen lexical major ntre cuvintele din vorbirea clasic i cea
colocvial, precum i diferene de pronunie, precum diferena ntre vocalele scurte, atunci cnd
cuvintele sunt la fel. Cu toate acestea, un exemplu specific pentru diglosie nu a fost dat,
contextul su social fiind aproape, dac nu, chiar cel mai important. De exemplu, Helliday spune
c n zonele cu diglosie, legtura ntre limb i succes este ca faptul c registrul clasic, mai nalt
este nvat prin educaia formal.

Exemplul 3

Predic n biseric sau moschee

Ordine ctre servitori, slugi, muncitori, funcionari
Scrisoare personal
Discurs n Parlament, discurs politic
Conferin la Universitate
Conversaie cu familia, prietenii sau colegii
Buletin de tiri
Radio serial
Editorial, tire, legend a unei imagini
Legend pe desen animat politic
Poezie

H
X

L
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Literatur popular

AAVE Engleza vernacular american-african

Exemplu 4
Mai jos este un exemplu al adaugrii particulei verbale -s nu doar la verbele de
persoana a III-a, singular, la prezent, ci i la infinitive, la prezentul verbelor de persoana I i la
verbele la past perfect (mai-mult-ca-perfect), la persoana a III-a.
1. He can goes out. (El poate iese afar; corect: El poate iei afar)
2. I dont know how to gets no girls. (Nu tiu cum s nu obin fete)
3. Hed knows that. (El tiuse acel lucru)
Mai multe exemple ale fenomenului n AAVE sunt prezentate mai jos.
Mai jos sunt exemple n care lipsete terminaia -s care indic posesia, aceast
terminaie fiind de obicei absent n AAVE, dar conine o regul, aa cum afirm Labov: uzul
lui s pentru a indica posesia de un singur substantiv sau pronume, dar niciodat ntre posesor i
obiectul posedat.
This is hers, This is mines, This is Johns, but not in her book, my book, John book.
(Acesta e al ei, acesta e al meu, acesta e al lui John, dar nu n cartea ei, cartea mea, cartea lui
John).
Interview with Bryan A., seven years old, a struggling reader in a West Philadelphia
elementary school:
1. If I dont get out my mom room, I get in trouble and when I dont get out my sister
2.
3.
4.
5.

room she hit me.

Bernicia penpal gave me one.
Thats what he did to my cousin Raymond dog at my cousin house.
I was acting like I stole my sister food.
At the museum, it was fun, we went in somebody heart.

Interviu cu Bryan A, de 7 ani, un cititor cu probleme de la coala elementar din West

Philadelphia:

1. Dac nu ies din camera mamei, voi avea probleme i cnd nu ies din camera surorii
2.
3.
4.
5.

mele m lovete.
Prietenul de coresponden al lui Bernicia mi-a dat unul.
Asta este ceea ce i-a fcut cinelui vrului meu acas la vrul meu.
M-am comportat ca i cum am furat mncarea surorii mele.
La muzeu, a fost amuzant, am fost n inima cuiva.

Efecte
Schimbarea codului
De multe ori, n cadrul comunitilor care conin sociolecte care separ grupurile
lingvistic este necesar s ai un proces n care comunitile independente din punctul de vedere al
discursului pot comunica n acelai registru; chiar dac diferena e foarte simpl precum
pronunia diferit. Prin urmare, actul de schimbare a codului devine esenial. Schimbare codului
este definit ca procesul prin care vorbitorii bilingvi sau bidialectali fac trecerea de la o limb la
alta sau de la un dialect la altul n cadrul aceleiai conversaii. Uneori, schimbare codului poate
fi situaional, depinznd de situaie, sau tematic, depinznd de tem. Halliday denumete acest
lucru cel mai bine atunci cnd definete rolul discursului, afirmnd c acest lucru determin sau
mai degrab coreleaz rolul jucat de activitatea lingvistic n cadrul situaiei. Aadar, nseamn
c un registru este folosit n funcie de situaie i proiecteaz contextul social al situa iei, pentru
ca dac este utilizat registrul greit, atunci contextul greit este plasat pe cuvinte. Mai mult dect
att, dac ne ntoarcem la diglosie exprimat n lumea vorbitoare de arab i sistemul de caste
Tamil din India, alegerea cuvintelor trebuie s corespund nu numai cu clasa social a
vorbitorului, ci i cu situaia, tema i nevoia de curtoazie. O definiie mai larg este: Schimbarea
codului nu este doar o definiie sau o situaie, ci o expresie a ierarhiei sociale.

Pentru exemple ale folosirii discursului n cadrul unei anumite situaii vezi tabelul
referitor la araba clasic i cea colocvial.
Un exemplu al seleciei dialectului n funcie de tem se afl mai jos:
Aa cum o definete Trudgill, Aravanikita este numele dat n greac unei limbi a
indigenilor din Grecia care reprezint o minoritate lingvistic vorbitoare de albaneaz. Aceast
comunitate este diferit din punct de vedere lingvistic fa de aria nconjurtoare i trebuie s- i
foloseasc limba corespunztor. De exemplu, n zilele noastre, Arvanitika este utilizat doar
acas i n alte situaii, cum ar fi la coal, n timpul jocurilor, pe terenul de joac sau pentru
discuiile ntre fete, n timp ce doar greaca este vorbit n clas. Prin urmare, este att
situaional, ct i tematic n context.

Discriminarea
Comunitatea Arvanitika sufer, de asemenea, de discriminare, pentru c este proiectat
drept o stereotipie, din cauza folosirii limbii native. Dup cum susine Garett, un numr de
arvanii au suferit de ceea ce a fost considerat drept discriminare, mai ales n timpul serviciului
militar i la coal. Totui limba este singurul lucru care i difereniaz de grecii care i
nconjoar, nc i definete ca pe o clas social distinct i i plaseaz n cadrul ierarhiei
sociale. Mai mult dect att, n cadrul societilor care pstreaz un caracter diglosic, formele
nalte (High H) i cele joase (Low L) servesc drept baz pentru discriminare. Dup cum
noteaz Mesthrie atta timp ct forma H este nv at prin educaie formal, diglosia este un
mijloc prin care oamenii sunt exclui de la o participare total n societate.

Concluzii
n lingvistic, sociolectul sau dialectul social reprezint o variant a limbii asociat cu o
clasa socioeconomic, o generaie sau un grup etnic (n acest caz se poate folosi i termenul de
etnolect) etc.
Sociolectele includ att achiziia pasiv a ctorva practici comunicative prin asocierea cu
o comunitate local, ct i nvarea activ i alegerea ntre forme ale vorbirii i ale scrierii
pentru a demonstra identificarea cu anumite grupuri.
Sociolingvitii studiaz sociolectele, variaiile limbii. Acetia definesc sociolectul drept o
distribuie social a unor anumii termeni lingvistici.
Sociolingvistul englez Peter Trudgill d o definitie sociolectului, spunnd c este o
variant care depinde mai degrab de contextul social al vorbitorului dect de spa iul geografic
din care provine acesta.
Ideea sociolectului a pornit de la dialectologie, care a inceput s studieze diferitele
dialecte in relaie cu societatea. Diferena principal dintre sociolect i dialect, aa cum o prezint
i Trudgill este faptul c dialectul depinde de un spaiu geografic al vorbitorului, n timp ce
sociolectul depinde de grupul social din care face parte acesta.
Un prim exemplu de sociolect ar fi sistemul de caste Tamil din India. n cadrul acestei
caste exista doua grupuri: Iyengar, mai nalt n ierarhie i Mudaliyar. Diferenele pentru anumi i

termeni (de exemplu doar Iyengar au termeni diferii pentru apa potabil i cea nebubil) arat
faptul c sociolectul depinde de contextul social i de clasa socioeconomic.
Un al doilea exemplu ar fi sociolectul socioeconomic norvegian, diferene ntre limba
standard i vorbirea colocvial cu diferene att n scriere, ct i n fonologie.
Un alt exemplu ar fi diglosia, exemplu aplicat pe naiunile vorbitoare de limba arab.
Diglosia reprezint o situaie n care dou varieti ale limbii coexist. Astfel, avem araba clasic,
iar dialectul colocvial depinde de ar. Diferenele dintre cele dou variante sunt att lexicale, ct
i la nivelul pronuniei.
Alt exemplu e engleza vernacular a african-americanilor. n cazul acestui exemplu de
sociolect, putem gsi multe diferene la nivel morfologic.
Efectele sociolectelor constau n schimbarea codului limbii i discriminare. n ceea ce
privete schimbarea codului, acesta este un proces necesar n care comunitile independente din
punctul de vedere al discursului pot comunica n acelai registru. Cel mai bun exemplu pentru
discriminare este comunitatea Arvanikita, comunitate albanez din Grecia, ndeprtat pe baza
unor stereotipii din cauza folosirii limbii lor native.