Observational Study of Sociolinguistic Variation in Everyday Life
1. Setting and Participants
I observed a conversation during a university group discussion about an
upcoming project. The participants included three students: one close friend, a
classmate, and a senior student leading the discussion.
2. 3Linguistic Variations Noticed
With the close friend, informal language and slang were used, such as “Hey, this
task is kinda tricky!” However, when addressing the senior student, the tone
became more formal: “I believe we should clarify the main objectives.” The
classmate was addressed in a neutral manner, balancing casual and formal
speech.
3. Influencing Social Factors
The relationship between speakers influenced speech style—casual language
with close friends and formal speech with authority figures. The setting
(academic) also required a shift from everyday language to structured
discussion. The purpose of communication—to collaborate effectively—ensured
clarity and politeness.
4. Reflection on Language and Society
This observation highlights how language adapts based on social hierarchy,
setting, and relationships. It shows that people modify their linguistic choices to
fit expectations, maintaining both social bonds and professional decorum.
References
Eckert, P., & Rickford, J. R. (2001). Style and sociolinguistic variation.
Cambridge University Press.
Holmes, J. (2013). An introduction to sociolinguistics (4th ed.). Routledge.
Trudgill, P. (2000). Sociolinguistics: An introduction to language and society
(4th ed.). Penguin Books.