Scribd
Upload
123 views3 pages

Language and Social Variation

language and social variation

Uploaded by

putriayuanjanii24
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
123 views3 pages

Language and Social Variation

language and social variation

Uploaded by

putriayuanjanii24
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL VARIATION

Language and social interaction have a reciprocal relationship. Language shapes social
interaction and social interaction shapes language. Sociolinguistics is the study of the
relationship between language and society and the way people use language in different social
situations.

Social variation in language is the aspect of variation in a language that is caused by social
characteristics (called social variables) such as age, gender, education and social class (and in
some cases others,such as race, religion, etc.)

Social language is simple informal language that we use when talking directly with family
members and friends. Social language allows us to use contemporary or slang terms such as
“cool”, “awesome”. We can also communicate feelings and desires using symbolic hand
movements or drinking, eating, hot, cold, hurt, or tired.

Language and its variations are influenced by several social factors, including socioeconomic
status, education, ethnicity, geographic location, and age. These social factors shape and
influence the way people speak a language, resulting in linguistic variation and diversity.

Social variety differentiates language use based on people’s relationships, for example speaking
with family, close friends and/or peers, as well as the level of social status of the person they are
speaking to. This social variety also applies to written and spoken forms.

Social variation is a language variety whose norms and rules are based on mutual agreement in
smaller social circle in society. For example:

• Various languages in the family


• Various languages of friendship in the class

1. Language variation in social media is the lack of uniformity in the language used by
social media users. These language variations can be:
• Abbreviation
• Slang
• Local language
• Foreign language
• New term
• The language style is more relaxed and informal
Language variations in social media can be influenced by various factors, such as: Age, Gender,
Geographical region, Education, Social intelligence.

The use of language variations in social media can help develop social relationships and
effective communication. However, inappropriate use of language can lead to
misunderstandings and conflicts.

Social media has also significantly influenced the way we communicate, so much so that our
language is shaped by it. The younger generation has adopted new slang, abbreviations and
even emojis to express themselves.

2. Language variations within families can occur due to several factors, such as:
• Social environment: The social environment in which a child grows up can influence the
language used.
• Age: A child’s age can influence the language used.
• Developmental factors: A child’s developmental factors can influence the language used.
• Parental choice: Parents’ choice in teaching children a language, whether regional
language, national language, or foreign language.
• Socio-situational factors: Socio-situational factors such as the influence of the language
used in the family and surrounding community.
• Social factors: Social factors such as age, gender, family relationships, education, and
economic status and position.

3. Language variation in sociolinguistics is the diversity of language use which is influenced


by various factors. Language variations can be distinguished from several aspects,
namely:
• Based on the speaker
In terms of speakers, language variations are divided into idiolects, dialects, chronolects
and sociolects. Idiolect is an individual variation of language, while sociolect has eight
language variations, namely acrolect, basilec, vulgar, slang, colloquial, jargon, argot, and
ken.

• Based on usage
In terms of usage, language variations are divided into functionalities, varieties and
registers.

• Based on formality
Language variations in terms of formality are divided into five styles, namely frozen style,
formal style, business style, casual style and intimate style.

• By age
Variations in the language used are based on age level, for example variations in the
language of children, teenagers or adults.

• Based on education
Language variations are related to the level of education of the language user.

• By gender
The language variations used by women will be different from the language variations
used by men.

• Factors that cause language variations include:


Social factors, gender factors, age factors, geographical factors, social status, language
situation, culture, individual.

You might also like