Sociolinguistics Class

For 3 hours on a Thursday morning we learn about how social, political, economic, geographical and religious factors affect language use.

Our fearless ‘socio’ teacher Joan Finlay, (who has conveniently spent a bit of time in Vanuatu and tells us all about it)..Joan lecturing

Brad and Tania Kenner in class this morning…. looks like Brad just said something cheeky like a good Aussie, and Tania graciously accepts it as being ‘culturally appropriate’. he he hebrad + tania

This genius poem by Jim Kenner pretty much sums up our lectures so far…
http://kennerupdate.blogspot.com/

S O C I O L I N G U I S T I C S

Sociolinguistics
Is based on statistics
The way we talk
The things we say
The words we use from day to day

Whether patient, doctor
Friend or foe
The right words will cause
Smiles or woe

Continent to continent
State to state
Use the right words
Or seal your own fate

Dialects, registers
Accents and style
Use them all well, though it takes a transition
And you might find they help you gain social position

Dialects are different
Or are they the same
If you define that term
You’ve earned yourself fame

Some will claim they’re the same
Others… they’re not
It takes careful deep study
To know what you’ve got

Registers are social
Or relate to one’s job
They help define groups
Whether formal or mob

The way that you speak
Could be Christian or geek
Mind what you say
When you chat or you pray

Accents are funny,
sexy and cool
They help you fit in
Or stand out at school

Style is casual
Unstructured and free
When used in its context
You’ll hear ‘like’, ‘dude’ and ‘totally’
Style is used by the ‘Boyz in da hood’
By surfers and sailors and those in the mood

Then there’s agency, attitude
Language death, grief
I can’t wait to graduate
And get some relief