Sociolinguistics and Language Variation

The video explores sociolinguistics, emphasizing that everyone has an accent influenced by various factors like geography and demographics. It discusses dialectology, regional language variations, and the impact of social media on language. The observer's paradox and code-switching are examined, highlighting how people adjust their speech based on social contexts. The video also addresses linguistic discrimination, particularly against African American English, and the importance of understanding language diversity to combat discrimination. The episode concludes with a call to use linguistic knowledge compassionately.

What is the study of how language forms part of our identity called?

• Morphology

• Phonetics

• Sociolinguistics

• Syntax

Which of the following languages has spread over wider geographic areas due to colonization?

• Swiss German

• Papua New Guinean languages

• Arabic

• Basque

What is a significant factor that affects who we know and talk to, especially before the internet?

• Hobbies

• Geography

• Education

• Occupation

What is the term for changing the way we speak depending on the group we are with?

• Phonetic shift

• Accent modification

• Code-switching

• Language borrowing

Which sign language is more closely related to French Sign Language than to the BANZL group?

• New Zealand Sign Language

• Auslan

• British Sign Language

• American Sign Language

What is the observer's paradox in sociolinguistic research?

• The difficulty of observing language in natural settings

• The influence of the researcher's presence on participants' speech

• The challenge of recording accurate data

• The complexity of analyzing linguistic data

What did William Labov study in New York City department stores?

• The pronunciation of the letter 'R'

• The use of formal language

• The use of slang

• The frequency of code-switching

What is a specific verb form in African American English that indicates habitual action?

• Perfective be

• Habitual be

• Progressive be

• Subjunctive be

What is a common issue faced by African American English speakers?

• Inability to code-switch

• Linguistic discrimination

• Grammatical errors

• Lack of vocabulary

Why do standards like national languages and style guides exist?

• They are inherently better forms of language

• They are supported by people with power

• They are easier to learn

• They are universally accepted