age theorists

Question 1

what is Cheshire’s (1987) theory?

Answer 1

adult language develops in response to important life events that affect social relations and attitudes

Question 2

what is Eckert’s (1998) theory?

Answer 2

chronological age (years since birth)
biological age (physical maturity)
social age (life events)
social age is most likely to have the largest impact after age 18

Question 3

what is Stenstorm’s (2002) theory?

Answer 3

proposed distinct ways in which teens talk: irregular turn taking, word shortening, teasing, slang, taboo topics etc

Question 4

what is Eckert’s (2003) theory?

Answer 4

believes slang is used by some teens to establish their connection to youth culture to set themselves apart from older generations

Question 5

what is Zimmerman and West’s (2009) theory?

Answer 5

argues graffiti, music and media influence teen speak and language becomes more standard with age

Question 6

what is Odato’s (2013) theory?

Answer 6

investigated use of ‘like’ in speech and found children as young as four use ‘like’
girls start using ‘like’ at age five and boys start at seven