Sociolinguistics

4 credits

The study of language in its social context, with emphasis on the different types of linguistic variation and the principles underlying them. Dialects, registers, gender-based linguistic differences, multilingualism, pidginization and creolization, factors influencing linguistic choice, formal models of variation; emphasis is given both to socially determined differences within the United States and US ethnic groups and to cross-cultural differences in language use and variation. Prerequisites: LIGN 101 or consent of instructor. Satisfies DEI requirement.