Patrick Bryan Miranda BSEd English 1
Sociolinguistics Task 1
1. What is language variation and how does it affect a learner?Cite your own experiences.
Ans:Language variation refers to the diverse ways in which language is used and differs within
various social, regional, and contextual settings.My experience in language variation is when I
went to Maynila to visit our family, since I don't know how to speak tagalog me and my cousin
don't understand it's other and I have to ask my father to translate it to Hiligaynon because I
can't understand it.
2. What are the different aspects that can affect language to vary? Explain how does it affect
the language?
Ans:Aspects that can influence language variation, are geography, social class, age, gender,
ethnicity, education level, and even occupation.
Geography
-How it affects language
People in different regions develop distinct dialects, accents, and vocabulary due to isolation,
climate, and local culture.
-Example
In the U.S., the word for a carbonated drink varies by region: "soda" in the Northeast, "pop" in
the Midwest, and "coke" in the South.
Social class
-How it affects language
Social class influences vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Higher social classes may use
more formal or "prestige" forms of language, while working-class speech might include
nonstandard grammar or slang.
-Example
In the Philippines, people from higher social classes might use more English words or phrases in
their speech (Ex: "Let's schedule a meeting"), while working-class individuals might rely more
on Tagalog or regional languages (Ex:"Tara, mag-usap tayo" or "Magmeeting na tayo").
-Age
-How it affects language
Younger generations often introduce new slang, expressions, or pronunciations, while older
generations may retain older forms of language. This generational gap can lead to language
change over time.
-Example
Younger Generation of Filipinos might use modern slang like "sana all" (expressing hope or
envy) or "charot" (meaning "just kidding"), while older generations may stick to more
traditional expressions like "sana nga" (I hope so) or "biro lang" (just a joke).
-Gender
How it affects language
Gender can influence speech patterns, vocabulary, and politeness levels. Studies suggest that
women may use more tentative or polite language, while men might use more direct or
assertive speech.
-Example
In Filipino culture, women might use more polite or softened expressions, such as "Puwede po
ba?" (Can I, please?) or "Sana ayos lang" (I hope it's okay), while men might use more direct
phrases like "Puwede ba?" (Can I?) or "Gawin na natin" (Let's do it).
-Ethnicity
Ethnic groups may develop their own dialects or language varieties, reflecting their cultural
identity and history.These varieties often include unique vocabulary, grammar, and
pronunciation.
Example
In the Philippines, the Cebuano language spoken in the Visayas region has distinct words and
expressions, For example such as "ambot" (I don’t know) or "gwapa" (beautiful), which differ
from Tagalog words like "ewan" or "maganda."
-Education level
How it affects language
Education can influences vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to use formal or technical
language. Highly educated individuals may use more complex sentence structures and
specialized terminology.
Example
A college-educated Filipino might say, "Ang proseso ng photosynthesis ay mahalaga sa mga
halaman" (The process of photosynthesis is important for plants), while someone with less
formal education might say, "Kailangan ng halaman ng araw para mabuhay" (Plants need
sunlight to live).
-Occupation
How it affects language
Professions often develop specialized jargon or terminology that is specific to their field. This
can include abbreviations, acronyms, or technical terms that are not widely understood outside
the profession.
Example
A Filipino nurse might use medical terms like "hypertension" (high blood pressure) or "IV
therapy" (intravenous therapy), while someone outside the medical field might simply say, "alta
presyon" or "dinadaganan."
3. How William Labov's research finding affected his conclusion?
William Labov's concluded in his research that language variation is not random but is
systematically linked to social factors like socioeconomic class.
4. Describe the assumption of the relationship between society and language based on gender,
culture, and lifestyle?
Ans:The assumption between the relationship of society, language based on gender, culture,
and lifestyle is that language is deeply intertwined with social structures, reflecting and shaping
societal norms, including gender roles, cultural values, and individual lifestyles. meaning how
people speak and the words they choose often reveal aspects of their social identity within a
community.
