Sociolinguistic Theories Flashcards
(17 cards)
Goffman’s Footing
He describes changes in footing as signifying the various changes that can take place in speech with how the speaker views themselves and others present.
Clues about footing
-The use of direct or reported speech
-Selection of the recipient
-Interjections
-Repetitions
-Personal directness or involvement
-Emphasis
-Separation of topic and subject
-Discourse type
Grice’s Maxims
Quality- be truthful
Quantity- say enough, but not too much
Relation- be relevant
Manner- be clear
Politeness Theory
The choices we make in our language to give people space and show a friendly attititude to them
Brown and Levinson- Positive Face
Wanting to be accepted and seen as ‘desireable’ by others
Brown and Levinson- Negative Face
The want to not be imposed upon by others
Robin Lakoff- Maxims of politeness in interaction
-Don’t impose
-Give the reciever options
-Make the reciever feel good
Giles Communication Accommodation Theory
when people interact they adjust their speech, their vocal patterns and their gestures, to accommodate others
convergence
the movement toward another’s communication style either for a conscious or unconscious desire for social integration
Characteristics of convergence
-Mirror other person’s vocabulary, accent, speech rate, grammar, voice etc.
-Match other person’s gestures, mannerisms, dress, hair etc.
-Often based on attraction, charisma, credibilty and motive
Gains or motives of convergence
-Improves effectiveness of communication
-Makes other person more confident and willing to respond
-Maintains positive self-identity and brings approval
-Makes ourselves more like those we are attracted to and engenders their liking
Divergence
when speakers wish to maintain social distance from others
Characteristics of divergence
-Works in opposite direction to convergence
-Speaks and gestures differently from other person
-Can be based on disdain for other person (or their behaviour) and desire to remain different from them
Gains or motives of divergence
-Accentuates differences between the parties
-Reinforces individual or group identity
-Discourages a relationship or from engaging in lengthy conversation
Three forms of overaccommodation
-Sensory overaccommodation : overdoing being accommodating to someone’s linguistic or physical disability
-Dependency overaccommodation : when the speaker places the listener in a lower-status role to appear more dependent on speaker
-Intergroup overaccommodation : manipulating people based on a general stereotype and not as individuals.
Joos’ registers of formality
- Frozen-exact same words every time (e.g. biblical quotations)
- Formal-one-way participation (e.g. presentations)
- Consultative-two-way participation (e.g. doctor/patient)
- Casual-between friends or acquaintances
- Intimate-non-public and private vocabulary
