sociolinguistics

the study of how social factors like class, gender, and geography shape language variation and use

Sociolinguistics is the study of how language varies and changes in social contexts. It examines the relationship between language and society, focusing on factors such as class, ethnicity, gender, and age. Sociolinguists analyze how these factors influence language use, including variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. This field explores issues such as language attitudes, dialects, and language policy, helping to understand how social dynamics shape communication and how language reflects and affects social identity.