Sociolinguistic - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Sociolinguistic refers to the study of how language varies and changes in social contexts, examining the relationship between language and society, including dialects, accents, and cultural influences.
Definition:
Relating to the study of how language interacts with social factors like class, ethnicity, and gender.
Synonyms:
linguistic anthropology, language sociology, communicative studies
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
monolinguistic, asocial
Common Collocations:
sociolinguistic research, sociolinguistic variation, sociolinguistic analysis
Derivatives:
sociolinguistics, sociolinguist
Usage Tips:
Use it to describe research or phenomena linking language use to social contexts or identities.
Common Phrases:
language and society, dialect and identity, speech communities
Etymology:
Combines "socio-" (society) and "linguistic" (language study), emerging mid-20th century.
Examples:
- 1. The sociolinguistic study explored regional dialects in urban areas.
- 2. Her thesis focused on sociolinguistic patterns among bilingual speakers.
- 3. Teachers discussed sociolinguistic influences on classroom communication styles.
- 4. The conference highlighted sociolinguistic changes in digital communication platforms.