Why is it important for us as learners to know English Sociolinguistics?
Upon completing the course, students are
expected to understand the definition of Sociolinguistics, the scope of
Sociolinguistics, and the implication of sociolinguistics in EFL Teaching.
Therefore, you will need to read your BMP Module-1, Materi Inisiasi 1, and some
additional materials provided before you answer the questions.
Discuss and answer the following questions:
Why is it important for us as learners to
know English Sociolinguistics?
This is an individual task. Please complete
the discussion task on time. You are also expected to respond to your
colleagues’ answers.
Answer:
According to Wardhaugh (2010), English
Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and society
in English-speaking communities. It examines how language is used in social
contexts and how this usage is influenced by factors such as gender, ethnicity,
social class, and region. The field also explores how language use reflects and
reinforces social norms and power structures, and how language change is shaped
by social factors. In other words, English Sociolinguistics is concerned with
the ways in which language use and social structure are mutually constitutive,
and how this relationship varies across different social contexts.
Saville-Troike (2012) defines
sociolinguistics in language teaching as the study of language use in society
and how social variables such as gender, ethnicity, social class, age, and
context of language use interact with language and affect its use and
interpretation. In this sense, sociolinguistics in language teaching seeks to
understand how language learning and use are influenced by social and cultural
factors, and to develop pedagogical approaches that are responsive to the
linguistic and cultural diversity of learners.
Similarly, Coulmas in Jufrizal and
Refnaldi (2017) defines sociolinguistics in language teaching as the study of
the relationship between language and society, and the effects of social
factors on language use and language learning. Coulmas emphasizes the
importance of sociolinguistics in language teaching for promoting effective
communication in multicultural and multilingual settings.
According to Wardhaugh (2010), there
are several reasons why it is important for learners to understand English
Sociolinguistics:
- It helps learners
to communicate effectively: Sociolinguistic knowledge enables learners to
understand how language use varies across social contexts and to adapt their
own language use. This allows students to communicate more effectively with
people from different social backgrounds, which is very important in today's
globalized world.
- It promotes social
justice: Sociolinguistic research has shown that language use reflects and
reinforces social inequality. By understanding how language use is linked to
social structure, learners can become more aware of these inequalities and work
to promote social justice.
- It enhances
language learning: Sociolinguistic knowledge can help learners to better
understand the cultural and social context in which the language is used. This
can make language learning more interesting and relevant, and can also enhance
learners' abilities to understand and produce language in authentic contexts.
- It promotes
intercultural competence: Sociolinguistic knowledge helps learners to develop
an understanding of different cultural practices and values, and to navigate
cultural differences more effectively. This is especially important in
international business and diplomacy, where cross-cultural communication is
essential.
Overall, understanding English
Sociolinguistics is essential for learners who wish to communicate effectively,
promote social justice, enhance language learning, and develop intercultural
competence. And also because it helps them understand how language functions in
social contexts, and how language is used to convey meaning beyond its literal
interpretation.
References:
Jufrizal, Refnaldi. 2017. Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching. Tangerang Selatan: Universitas Terbuka
Saville-Troike, M. 2012. Introducing second language acquisition. Cambridge University Press.
Wardhaugh, R. 2010. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (6th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.