SOCIOLINGUISTICS: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

This paper surveys the main concerns and main tenets of sociolinguistics, as seen by the author. It begins by discussing the three main types of linguistic, varieties (languages, dialects and styles/registers) and how they may be differentiated. Specifically in regard to dialects, it stresses the rule-governed nature of all dialects, including those which are non-standard. It also considers how speakers arrive at a sense of which dialect becomes the standard dialect. Finally, it considers how speakers use code-switching and code-shifting to convey social meaning in interpersonal relationships.