Social identity theories + theorists
This theory argues that when people interact they adjust their speech, their vocal patterns and their gestures to accommodate others.
What is CAT by Giles?
A theory, based in innatism, with the view that the individual is born with genetic abilities which include the development of language.
What is nativism by Chomsky?
The concept that ideas are shared between languages, because reality is constant.
What is linguistic universalism?
Certain minorities in a society have much less power than others and, as a consequence of this lack of power, they are silenced as no one wishes to listen to them
What is the muted group theory by Kramarae?
The idea that the specific language people speak affects their experience of the world, because everything is relative.
What is linguistic relativity?
Individuals tend to group things based on certain criteria. They tend to overemphasize the differences between groups and the similarities within a group.
What is Social Identity theory by Tajfel?
Gene that is important in language and speech production.
What is FOXP2?
Often referred to as being high-density, meaning the closer the contacts within a network, the more power the group will have over language use. Language is less varied.
What are closed networks?
Women have a different type of knowledge, which may not be given equal status to that of men
What is Standpoint theory by Harding & Wood?
The idea that language reflects our thoughts (racist terms exist because some people have racist attitudes); it influences people's views of their world but does not determine it.
What is linguistic reflectionism?
This theory focuses on the analysis of relationships, connections, and patterns of interaction among social groups which are called 'speech communities'
What is Social Network theory by Milroy?
The evelopment of the mind, and also language, spring directly from the child's observation and imitation of those in the world around them.
What is behaviourism by Skinner and Watson?
There is a reciprocal relationship between language and thought, implying that just as language can shape thoughts, our cognitive processes and inherent personality traits can also influence our language use.
What is Boroditsky's take on linguistic relativity?
Women use politeness strategies more frequently, such as ‘please’ and ‘thanks’
What is the politeness principle?
The language someone speaks absolutely controls the way they experience the world language acts like a prison, restricting the speakers' abilities to reason and understand
What is Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
Use of language in a similar way to others in the group and use of language in a different way to others in the group.
What is convergence and divergence?
This theory puts forward the idea that there is something special about the human brain which enables it to master the complexities of language and it comes from a divine power.
What is innatism by Plato and Descartes?
Participants in a conversation usually attempt to be truthful, informative, relevant, and clear in order to facilitate successful communication.
What is the Cooperative principle theory?
Politeness principle.
Who is Lakoff?
People's perception of an event can be influenced by the choice of words in a question about the event.
What is Loftus and Palmer Car Crash experiment?
Refers to the group with which an individual identifies; pertains to groups they don't identify with.
What are in-groups and out-groups?
A theory which also states that our sense of self-identity and our knowledge of language come through our senses and experiences, and not through any reasoning or logical argument.
What is empiricism by Locke?
The concept explains how words that are used to replace offensive terms over time become offensive themselves.
What is the Euphemism treadmill (Steven Pinker)?
Contrasts the discourse of men and women in Western societies, attributing the first characteristic in each pair as male and the second as female.
What is Genderlect theory by Tannen?
In theory, every thought can be expressed in every language but languages differ in the types of information they require speakers to mention when they use the language.
What is Boas-Jakobson principle?