1.Definition
of Sociolinguistics
2.Origins
and main figures
1.Definition
of Sociolinguistics
“The
aim of sociolinguistic
investigation is
to achieve a further progress in the knowledge of nature and the operation of
human language by the study of language in its social context. Besides, all Sociolinguistics is language and
society but,
however, not
all language and society are Sociolinguistics”
(Trudgill,
2000).
“Sociolinguistics
is an interdisciplinary
science
which is concerned with relationships
between language and society” (Campoy
& Almeida, 2005).
2.Origins
and main figures
ORIGINS:
Saussure
& Chomsky concepts
PROMINENT
FIGURES:
Peter Trudgill
New
discipline of Linguistics:
Developed
from the
last 30 years.
Origins focused
on:
1.The
structure
of langue/parole & the
diachronic/synchronic suggested
by Ferdinand de Saussure:
-Langue/Parole – Internal
Linguistics
/ Microlinguistics(phonology,
morphology,
syntax)
-Diachronic/Synchronic – External
Linguistics/
Macrolinguistics
(acquisition-use
of language
and culture-society-language
connection)
2.The
competence/actions notions
by Noam
Chomsky.
According to Trudgill:
Macrolinguistics
focused
on the
study of the
language(large-scale
- group behaviour).
Microlinguistics
focused
on the
description-analysis
of languages
(small groups).
SAUSSUREAN
CONCEPT OF LANGUAGE:
Related
with Chomsky’s
competence:
- Focused
on the
ideal speaker/listener(control of language
- a homogeneous
community)
-Languages
- autonomous
and coherent
systems.
IN
THE PAST:
linguistics
focused
on microlinguistics,
ignoring
macrolinguistics.
