Sociolinguistics concentrates on variations in language that:
A) are likely to become extinct in the next fifty years.
B) do not change over time.
C) have a majority of bilingual speakers.
D) depend upon the social situations or contexts in which the speaker operates.
E) are caused by colonialism or political systems of oppression.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sociolinguistics studies how social factors such as gender, ethnicity, class, and geographic location affect the way people use language. Therefore, variations in language depend on the social situations or contexts in which the speaker operates, making choice D the correct answer. Choices A and E are incorrect because sociolinguistics is concerned with current language variations and patterns, not those that are likely to disappear or caused by specific historical events. Choice B is incorrect because all languages change over time, and sociolinguistics studies those changes. Choice C is also incorrect because sociolinguistics studies monolingual and bilingual speakers alike, and the majority status of a language or group does not determine the field's focus.

Sociolinguistics Concentrates on Variations in Language That