Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and society, including how language varies and changes in different social contexts.

Sociolinguistics reviews take note of any social factors in society that affect language usage. The social factor is:

• Social status;
• Educational level;
• Age;
• Economic level;
• Religion;
• Gender 
  

Not only that, the language spoken is influenced largely by situational factors, such as: who speaks, how the language forms, to whom, where, when, and on what matter.

The language in the study of sociolinguistics is not only viewed asa structure but also viewed asa social system, a communication system part of a particular culture of society.

Language is the central tool of social interaction in every society, regardless of its location and time period. Language and social interaction have a reciprocal relationship: language shapes social interaction, and social interaction shapes language.

Definition from The Sosiolinguist :

1. According to Peter Trudgill, sosiolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and society. It examines how language varies and changes in different social and cultural contexts.

2. According to William Labov, sosiolinguistics is the study of the interaction between language and society, and how language use varies according to social factors such as class, ethnicity, and gender.

3. According Dell Hymes, sosiolinguistics is the study of language in its social context, including the way people use language in different social situations and the social norms that govern language use.

Based on the three opinions, the conclusion of the definition of sociolinguistics is the study of how language is used in different social contexts and how it is influenced by social factors such as class, gender, ethnicity, and education.

Scoupe of sociolinguistics

Sosiolinguistik, also known as sociolinguistics, is a field of study that examines the relationship between language and society. It explores how language varies and changes in different social and cultural contexts, as well as how language use and attitudes are influenced by various factors, such as ethnicity, gender, social class, and geographical location.

The scope of sociolinguistics is broad and encompasses a wide range of topics, including language variation and change, language attitudes and ideologies, multilingualism, language planning and policy, language and identity, language and power, language and social interaction, and much more.

Sociolinguistic research involves studying language use in natural contexts, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions about the social and cultural aspects of language. This field is interdisciplinary, drawing insights from linguistics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and other related disciplines.

Types of sociolinguistics

There are several types or branches of sociolinguistics. Here are a few prominent ones:

1. Language Variation and Change: This branch focuses on studying how language varies and changes in different social groups, regions, and contexts. It aims to understand why and how certain linguistic features are used and how they can shift over time.

2. Language Attitudes and Ideologies: This area examines people's attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions towards different languages and language varieties. It explores the social, cultural, and political factors that shape language ideologies and the implications these attitudes have for linguistic diversity and language policies.

3. Multilingualism: Multilingualism studies the use and acquisition of multiple languages by individuals and communities. It examines the dynamics of language contact, code-switching, and language maintenance among multilingual populations.

4. Language Planning and Policy: This branch investigates how language policies are formulated, implemented, and experienced within societies. It examines issues related to language choices, standardization, language rights, linguistic discrimination, and language planning strategies.

5. Language and Identity: Language is closely tied to one's identity and group affiliations. This area of sociolinguistics explores how language use and choice contribute to the construction and negotiation of personal and social identities.

6. Language and Social Interaction: This branch focuses on how language is used in everyday social interactions. It examines conversational patterns, speech acts, politeness, discourse analysis, and sociocultural aspects of communication.

These are just a few examples, and sociolinguistics encompasses a broad range of research areas and methodologies. Researchers often combine different approaches to study the complex relationship between language and society.

Written by:

Widiastuti, Nurhikma, Nur Zakiyyah Khalilah, Andi Zahra Syahraeni

(PBI A-2023)