SOCIAL FACTORS IN LINGUISTIC CHANGE: INSIGHTS FROM LABOV’S PHONOLOGICAL STUDIES
Keywords:
Phonological variations; Social factors; Linguistic change; Ethnic groups; Social class; Age Levels; Speech Sounds; Pronunciation Variations; Comparative Analysis; Sociolinguistic; Society;Abstract
The main purpose of this article explores the similarities and differences between William Labov’s seminal case studies from 1963 and 1972, which focus on phonological variations in speech sounds influenced by social factors. Both studies emphasize how community life and social interactions impact differentiated pronunciation, despite being conducted in distinct geographical locations. The analyzed data from these studies reveal that social factors such as ethnic groups, social class, age, and geographical distribution play crucial roles in linguistic change and variation. It is observed from these two case studies that, a person can not understand the impact of sound change aside from the social life of the people where it occurs.
References
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