LIN251H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Lexical Diffusion, Language Change, Whole Language
Document Summary
Age is an important social variable for language. Not just physical/biological characteristics; focus on social and psychological dimensions. Beginning of linguistic variation at age 3 and stylistic competence at age 10. Contradictorily, children of about 9 can learn dialect, but those over the age of 13 cannot acquire dialects anymore. Language in childhood must be studied by itself, not just as a precursor for adulthood. Patterns of speech laid down by the late teen years. Language is treated as the norm when compared to other age categories; default case. Older speakers portray speech patterns from earlier decades. Not in tune with mainstream culture and language. Question of whether individuals change sociolinguistic pattern throughout their lives after patterns are settled by late teens. Age grading: differences between age groups that are found but not often. Younger people use more non-standard forms, then standard forms are adopted in adulthood.
