Listening: Understanding All Varieties of English C2 - Lesson 4: Appreciating and Analyzing Sociolinguistic Variations in Speech

C2 SOCIOLINGUISTICS

Sociolinguistic Variation

បម្រែបម្រួលសង្គមភាសា

🎯 Scenario: The University Mixer.
Jax: A PhD student from a working-class background (Multicultural London English).
Prof. Sterling: A senior academic (Received Pronunciation / Elite).

J

Jax (To his friend)

Register: Casual / Sociolect (MLE).
Markers: "Fam" (Friend), "Bare" (Very), "Innit" (Tag question), "Cheeky" (Impulsive/Fun).

P

Prof. Sterling (Approaches)

J

Jax (To Professor)

Strategy: Code-Switching (Convergence).
Analysis: Jax instantly drops the slang. He mimics the Professor's vocabulary ("Insightful" vs "Bare long") to gain professional respect.

Sociolinguistic Terminology:

Code-Switching Alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation.

Register The level of formality in language as determined by the context.

Sociolect A variety of language used by a particular social group or class.

Convergence Changing one's language to sound more like the person they are speaking to.

Why did Jax change his speech style?

Divergence

He wanted to emphasize his difference from the Professor.

Accommodation (Convergence)

He adapted his register to match the Professor's expectations to show professional competence.

Task: Register Translation

Rewrite the slang phrase into Formal Academic English.

"I ain't got no money for that."