1 Three Waves of Variation Study: The emergence of meaning in the study of variation Penelope Eckert Stanford University Abstract The treatment of social meaning in variation has come in three waves of analytic practice. The first wave of variation studies established broad correlations between linguistic variables and the macro-sociological categories of socioeconomic class, sex class, ethnicity and age. The second wave employed ethnographic methods to explore the local categories and configurations that inhabit, or constitute, these broader categories. In both waves, variation was seen as marking social categories. This paper sets out a theoretical foundation for the third wave, arguing that (1) variation constitutes a robust …show more content…
There are some very big questions, such as how the system of social meaning is structured, what kinds of social meanings are expressed in variation, how local meanings such as those found on Martha’s Vineyard articulate with broad demographic patterns, and how the relation between variants and social meanings becomes conventionalized. In what follows, I will outline an approach to the study of variation that centers on social meaning. This is not a proposal to replace, but to refine and supplement, current approaches to variation. I will begin by tracing the progress of the social study of variation over the past forty-five years, in order to illuminate the main issues. The treatment of social meaning in variation has come in three waves of analytic practice. No wave supersedes the previous, but each represents a quite distinct way of thinking about variation, and a distinct methodological and analytic practice, each of which grew out of the findings of the previous wave. The first wave of variation studies, launched by William Labov’s New York City study (Labov,1966), laid a solid foundation for the study of variation by establishing broad correlations between linguistic variables and the macro-sociological categories of socioeconomic class, sex class, ethnicity and age. These patterns pointed to questions
The informational article Islands of Meaning written by Eviatar Zerubavel is an incredibly insightful tool that has allowed others to better understand concepts of schemas, accommodation, and assimilation. The article illustrates how we mentally categorize things by segmenting and applying meaning to the world around us. This enables us to form ideas and opinions that aid in the development of society along with our own image of self. Our boundaries can be dependent upon our cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds influencing what is defined as normal or acceptable. In this critical analysis, I will initially recount in a short summary Zerubavel’s main concepts on synopsis, socialization, and language. I will also examine and review the article from a critical standpoint and give personal opinions on the concepts for in this article.
Identify the types of diversity that exist within your local community, looking at the range of differences in relation to the following:
New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world. There are many cultures, races; languages mixed together creating “culturally diverse pot”. “Diversity is the existence of a wide variety of cultures and subcultures represented within a society” (CCN, 2016).
The book, The Color of Water by James McBride presented many aspects of cultural diversity from different individuals to groups of people. The book is an autobiography about James McBride’s mother, Ruth. The author thoroughly explains what Ruth had to go through during the time where diversity amongst individuals was clearly avoided. In addition, it explains James’ life after the death of his father and the ups and downs he encountered. After reading this book, I now have a better understanding of how important it is for people accepted the differences in each other and accept that we are a country of cultural diversity, not divided groups. The analysis of this book will thoroughly explain the positive and
James Island looked like the perfect place to settle to the colonists in 1607, with lush forests and flowing rivers. But it didn’t take long for the place to become deadly. They were surrounded by hostile Native Americans, and unfamiliar diseases spread and killed many. The water sources were polluted and often brackish, making them virtually undrinkable. King James I of England’s blessing, it seemed, did no good to the 110 hopeful settlers. When the colonists arrived they built a fort that would later become Jamestown—they didn’t know that by that December, 40 would be alive of their original 110. The nightmare was just beginning. So many colonists died because of Native Americans, disease, and undesirable food and water conditions.
Each social group can be stereotypical against each other with the use of their own language by
In our world there are so people that are being overrated, from their skin color, to how they talk or to where they came from or the way they walk, everything from what people wear to where people come from and their ethnic background. These people are looked down on from the rest of society for just being themselves and doing only what they know to do. For some, it’s wrong if others do not act just like them and they put them down for it. Stereotypes can be described someone of a certain race, religion, gender, nationality, or other groups. You can see that language, gender, and culture (class and race) does relate to power because men’s have more power than women’s, the way you speak, your
Inherited variation is the way that you get one set of traits from your parents, such as eye color and skin color, but another member in your family could look completely different. With each set of genes, there is a certain percentage of you getting one trait or another, as long as in the set of traits you may receive from your parents has a certain allele. For instance, if both of your parents have brown hair, but your grandfather has blonde hair, that allele is still active. It’s just recessive, or not as prominent. So it still has a chance of showing up, but it is more likely that you will have brown hair, since the allele for brown hair is dominant. However, while humans may not have any predators, many other creatures do. For instance,
There are many indicators of identity by which we are made known individually, socially and culturally; the best of these would be language and how it has shown great flexibility in accommodating the needs of people. Through language people have been able to establish their identities and cultivate friendships with others who share the same common ground. By looking at accents such as Broad Australian English, slang and phonological features as they apply to Australian varieties, we can see how it has forged solidarity and assisted in creating an identity on an individual and national scale.
Concepts of sex, gender and race in English language have undergone uncountable naturalization and universalities, to a point that they are now considered to have always been present. There are numerous arguments that revolve around the three concepts of human diversity. Dr. Warnke for example argues that the three concepts above are social constructs (Warnke 153). This paper is in the light of Dr Warnke’s argument but rather disagrees with her argument about sex, gender and race as
In this sense, personal cultural diversity can be seen through the influences of personal experiences that have been acquired and accumulated by the individual through his or her lifetime. Another factor to consider is the individual’s religious background or influences, as this would determine the values and practice of morality of the individual. This would also define one’s behavior and personality in comparison to other individuals. In addition, the religious influence of an individual, along with his or her personal experiences determines his or her judgments and prejudices regarding a certain issue. Another important factor is one’s social-economic class background, which refers to one’s income levels and lifestyle backgrounds. One’s level of income and lifestyle entitles one to develop different views and perceptions regarding different issues or topics.
Macbeth is a play built on murder and madness. The play Macbeth is written by William Shakespeare that takes place in eleventh century Scotland. The story is about a Scottish Lord named Macbeth. Macbeth is given predictions from witches that he will be king.
An artist 's psyche can 't be placated by the ordinary or carried on by business as usual; it is parched to search out the human condition and to look profound into individuals ' characters.
When people speak of affective qualities of a language variety, it is not the language that is being evaluated, but an underlying stereotype of the speakers themselves. For this reason, attitudes toward divergent language varieties “are better understood as attitudes towards the members of language communities” rather than the variety itself (Edwards, 1994, p. 89). In this way, then, by judging the speakers of in-group language varieties, respondents are also indirectly evaluating members of these in-groups as well , essentially making qualitative judgments regarding language and their own group identity (Edwards, 1985). Fundamentally, as Edwards (1985) writes, language attitudes “allow some insights into the perception and presentation of identity” (p. 151). Therefore, by looking at attitudes of learners of Mandarin toward regional accented-Mandarin, we can probably understand whether this language variety is more likely to be used, emulated, and accepted throughout learners of Mandarin.
The area of art is popularly known for heightening emotions, challenging stereotypes, and ultimately providing insights into how individuals view the surrounding world. The artist and the observer time and time again see pieces in overwhelmingly different ways. Individuals may wonder why this is so. What could possibly create such a drastic change from one perspective to another? When it comes down to it, experiences are the answer. The artist and the observer have different