Sociolinguistics: Language, Interpreter of Social Behavior

Sociolinguistics
Our language is not simple but a complex system. So is the society in

which we live, study of effect of both systems on each other is
sociolinguistics. It includes all aspects from the effect of our gender,
class, context, believes, culture and so on. Apart from being a complex
and tough there is no doubt that language is intriguing and fascinating.
from individual to community level it reflects your true self. Language is
not a mere utterance or some transfer of meaning, it shows your
thoughts, your ideas, and your morals. Due to the importance of
language and its vital role in our society sociolinguistic is gaining more
popularity among us. As the world has become a globalized and
interaction and influence of different communities and cultures is at
higher degree than ever. In this case research in sociolinguistic is also at
its apex.
Language, interpreter of social behavior: language we use depicts
our social behavior, being a part of society we must follow certain rules
set by society, breaking those rule may lead to trouble, same is the case
with language it is our society where language is developed and we use
it to interact with society so we are bound to use the words that our
society has set and in the way that prevails in society. In every society
there are taboo words and phrases, the use of these have negative
impact on you thus disturbs the relation between individual and
society. This is not just the case among the people living in those
societies but has international influence. We observe in our daily life
that international brands of technologies, food or beverages use
different slogans and names in different societies, this is because of
relationship between language and society. So, in order to make more
sales and to have more customers they use the language that is
appropriate and according to that specific society. Although
understanding a society through language may seem quiet an easy task
but is actually not because both language and human being whether
individual or as a part of community are complex. Their thorough
understanding requires in depth study, experience, and research. So
being a social psychologist or sociolinguist is not an easy task
Culture and language
Sociolinguists study the effect of culture on language as language is part
of culture. in different countries there are different phrases used for
greetings which deeply reflect our culture for example In Pakistan we
say Salam, in Chinese they use 你好 for age fellows and younger ones
but 您好 for elders. In English we use quite common words like aunt
and uncle for our relatives but in china they have variety of names
depend upon seniority as Chinese culture is known for its modesty and
courtesy.
In Pakistan we call a shopkeeper “chacha” or “bhai” any random aunty
“khala” but that is not the case everywhere because it is our culture
that we address them with a respectable relation name. it is for respect
and to be comfortable while communication. Pakistan being a country
with many diverse cultures, we can easily observer relationship of
language and culture in it. If we are in Karachi, we observe quite a
different kind of linguistic style in both the terms of words and of
course dialect. In Islamabad many of such manner is considered not
very good but in Karachi it is fine. We even observe elders and senior
citizens using it getting offended. Although both are using Urdu but
there is cultural difference in both places not a major one but minor.
Development of new language through social interaction:
When two groups with different languages interact with each other
than communication problems and misunderstandings are unavoidable.
In such cases in order to have smooth communication these situations
give birth to a new language which of course develop with the course of
time. New language contains characteristic of both the language
though over time it may have its unique features. When this new
language is in its basic form it is called pidgin, it has simple grammar
and structure over time when it is developed into new language it is
called creole. We can find such examples in Africa, America. Urdu is
also such example. In such situations there are people who can speak
more than one language, they are of special interest to sociolinguists as
they often switch between both languages and are more into society
with more and unique social experience as they are able to interact
with both communities well.
Language as an activity: We know that language is much more then
mere transfer of words or meaning. Contexts play important role in
transferring the message. With the context we are able to know the
relationships among participants, their cultural norms, their status, and
values. We can observe these all everywhere even in the restaurant by
listening to conversation between different groups their and by
studying their language as an activity. It includes how they the people
of particular society converse with each other, what is the pattern of
their conversation (how they start and end their conversation, what is
the way of different conversation like announcing a good or bad news,
telling story or a joke). Sociolinguists also study that how different
groups (including gender, status, age etc.). for the study sociolinguistic
use ethnographic method in which observer use the data from daily life
of people, interact them ask them different questions and then based
upon these construct his knowledge. He does not use his own
suggestions, ideas or opinions but goes with what community and
society reflects.
Influence of language on large scale: Language effects are not only
limited to small interpersonal level but on larger scale as national and
international level. Response to reaction of people towards language in
any form fall under the study of sociolinguistics. Movements such as
English-only amendment the legislative-proposal or Hindi-Urdu
controversy of 19th century or demand of Bangladeshis to be Bengali
their national language, these all are language attitude on national
level.
Intercultural interaction:
Sociolinguistics also study intercultural differences on international
level as well. In the modern era of science and technology it is
extremely risky to initiate a war to gain control or to have influence on
other nations, present era is all about cold war, country with largest
communication circle is strongest. According to scholars it is also the
war of culture so nation with most widespread and influential cultural is
strongest. In this regard many powerful nations like America, China,
Russia are trying their best to increase their communication, introduce
their culture to all over. They are opening their language institutes all
over the world. This interaction is not only on national level but also
from person to person. `

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Sociolinguistics

Our language is not simple but a complex system. So is the society in

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