Language and use
This is the word for the particular way a person speaks that includes their accent, rhythm, and pronunciation
Accent (or pronunciation pattern)
A group of people who share the same job, age, location, or background is called a ____.
Group (or social group)
The ability to make decisions or influence what others do is called _____.
Power
If your friend uses a slang word and your teacher uses a more formal word for the same thing, this is an example of changing your _____.
Speech (or register / code-switching)
What is the study of how language and society influence each other?
Sociolinguistics (or the study of language in society).
The special words and phrases used by a small group (like skateboarders or gamers) are called a _____.
Slang or jargon
When a group of people are treated worse or have fewer chances because of their social group, that unfair treatment is called ____.
Discrimination
The kind of language usually used in schools, courts, and official news that may give people advantage is called _____ language.
Standard/formal or prestige language
Hearing people from different towns who say the same words differently shows a difference in ___.
Dialect (or regional accent)
Name the field term for the way people speak based on their social group, region, or context (three words, hyphen optional).
"Speech variety" or "language variety" or "sociolect" (expect answers like "sociolect" or "variety of speech").
When someone changes how they speak depending on who they are talking to (like talking differently to a teacher vs. a friend), this is called ___ ____.
Code-switching (or style shifting)
Give one reason why studying language can help researchers learn about someone’s social class.
Language features (vocabulary, accent, grammar) often correlate with class and reveal educational or occupational background.
When people from powerful groups get more chances to speak or be heard, we call that having more _____.
Voice, influence, or privilege
What does the term “linguistic discrimination” mean (brief definition)?
Treating people unfairly based on how they speak.
What is an example of a sociolinguistic variable (give one short example, such as a pronunciation or word choice)?
Examples: dropping the "g" in "-ing" (runnin' vs running), using "y'all" vs "you all", pronouncing "r" differently, using particular slang.
A formal, widely accepted way of speaking and writing that is often used in schools and official places is called ___ ___ or standard _____.
Standard language / standard dialect
The idea that some social groups have more money, respect, or influence than others is called social ____.
Stratification (or social hierarchy)
Give one reason why someone who speaks a non-standard dialect might face difficulty getting a job or being taken seriously
Employers may prefer the standard dialect and unfairly judge the non-standard speaker as less educated.
Give an example (one or two sentences) of how a radio host or celebrity might use language to show they are part of a powerful group.
The host uses formal vocabulary and mentions elite schools or insider knowledge to signal prestige and connect with powerful listeners.
Explain in one sentence what code-switching is
Code-switching is switching between language varieties or languages depending on the setting or audience.
The study of how people use language in social situations (how language connects to who we are and our relationships) is called ________.
Sociolinguistics
Describe how accent prejudice can affect a person’s opportunities (one or two sentences).
Accent prejudice can reduce job opportunities, cause unfair judgments about intelligence, or lead to social exclusion.
Explain in one or two sentences how access to education can change the ways people use language and their social opportunities.
Education can teach standard forms and literacy skills that help in jobs and public life, increasing social mobility; it can also expose students to new ways of speaking and writing.
Name one social reason language changes (e.g., contact with other groups).
Social reasons: migration, trade, technology, or social prestige.
Describe how sociolinguistics might explain why two people from the same town speak differently.
different social networks, family background, education, or workplace influence pronunciation and vocabulary.