sociolinguistic and its related disciplines

what is sociolinguistic?

Sociolinguistics is that part of linguistics which is concerned with language as a social and cultural phenomenon. It investigates the field of language and society & has close connections with the social sciences, especially social psychology, anthropology, human geography and sociology ( P. Trudgill, 1974 ). Sociolinguistics is that branch of linguistics which studies just those properties of language and languages which require reference to social, including contextual, factors in their explanation ( Wm. Downes 1984 ). From those definition we know that sosiolinguistics that a science which is concerned with the relation between language and society.

Sociolinguistic has some relations with others scientific studies. Here are the corelations:

1.     SOCIOLINGUISTICS IN SOCIOLOGY

Sociolinguistic studies the effect of any and all aspects of society on the way language is used, and the effects of language use on society. In the other hand, sociology studies the society itself. That is why Sociolinguistic has a big deal with sociology, because from the etymology of the sociolinguistic is formed from two word which is blended; society and linguistic.

2.     SOCIOLINGUISTICS IN ETHNOGRAPHY

Ethnography is a systematic, qualitative study of culture, including the cultural bases of linguistic skill and communicative context (Ochs & Schieffelin, 1995 ). Sociolinguistics focuses on how language use is shaped by individual and society. For Instance, in Javanese ethnic there is a rule of language to communicate between young and old people. The young people should use the polite or gentle language if they speak with the old people. It means that the young people are respect the old people. As young people, we prohibitted use slang language if we speak or communicate with the old people. It is prove that there is close relation between sociolinguistics and ethnography.

3.     SOCIOLINGUISTICS IN GENDER

Language and gender involves interpreting the use of linguistic resources to accomplish social ends (Eckert & McConnell-Ginet, 2005:79). Gender categories are a product and manifest of relations and mappings based on : peer cultures, cross cultural (mis)communication, different practices & understanding , and development of gendered verbal practices . Gender is articulated and performed in all acts (entrenchment, maintenance and restructuring ). On the other hand, gender order and linguistic conventions exercise profound constraints on thought and actions.

4.     SOCIOLINGUISTICS IN CULTURE

Culture in every place is different. Some places there are culture that has been influenced by another culture. The deficiency at the higher stages is the cumulative effect of bad language teaching at earlier stages. It must be admitted that without proper understanding of the problems relating to language use neither the problems of primary education nor adult literacy can be solved.

5.     SOCIOLINGUISTICS IN PRAGMATIC

Pragmatics is the language of science which studies the purpose and effect language associated with the context, or the use of language that are suited with the subject, purpose, participants, places and facilities. Pragmatic view of language as a communication tool whose existence (Both form and meaning), determined by the speakers and also diversity is determined by topic, place, means, and time.

Example : "3 X 4 how much? " Will have a different meaning and answers. Pragmatic view, the difference was due to the factors, objectives, and speakers.

6.     SOCIOLINGUISTIC IN PHONOLOGY

Phonology is part of linguistics which studies how the speech sounds are used systematically to form words and utterances, because most primary form of language is sound. The sound is a vibration of air that goes into the ear. Different sound can make different meaning. Since using certain language is not only correct grammatically, but also appropriate and acceptable in certain social context where the language is used, learning sociolinguistics seems so important. Forming utterances by using speech sounds systematically, right pattern of word formation and combining words are very influencing. In conclusion, mastering the grammar of certain language is not enough without knowing how to use it appropriately in real life contexts, that is why we cannot ignore the role of sociolinguistics.

Sunday, May 17, 2020