2 - Foundations of Sociolinguistic Theory

Abstract

This chapter discusses the foundations of sociolinguistic theory. Sociolinguistics is the study of language in relation to society. Initiating with the historical theoretical concerns of sociolinguistics, from definitions isolatable principles include at least the fundamental principle of the social nature of language. Areas of concern include social and cultural phenomena such as social patterns and structures, language varieties such as dialects and styles, social groups such as language communities, language functions in society, language change, socio-cultural meaning, and social interaction. Within the framework of sociolinguistic metatheory, there is a subject matter which is dynamic rather than static. There is a basic principle of integration that leads to the consideration of language use as a part of human behavior generally. There is, on a more specific level, the concern of sociolinguistics with language as a cultural and societal entity and, concern with language variation rather than, or in addition to, language invariation. The Hegelian framework is based on the principles of the interactive, variant, particular, and dynamic nature of phenomena. It is also based on the active nature of consciousness and the social nature of mind. It is also an approach that attempts to be integrative, relating interdependent parts to a whole.