Varieties And Variation

Varieties and variation The range and depth of variation : some examples The use of quantification has led to speculation as to whether human linguistic compentence is in fact probabilistic but literal claim that speakers “know” the exact quantities in which different variants should be used by them in varying situations has not been generally accepted. The main advance brought about by using quantification is methodological, is not theoretical. Quantitative methods of analysis have anabled us to propose socially based explanation for aspects of language variation in time,space an social space. Generally they have done this by relating variation in language to variation in society and situational contexts of speech. In order to demonstrate covariation between linguistic and social categories, it is normal to indentify one or more speaker variables. The most widely used of these is socioeconomic class. Other variables that are commonly used include age of speaker,sex of speaker, ethnic group of speaker and social network. In addition it is usual ,where possible, to recognize contextual style as a variable, and this variable tends to cut across or interact with the speakers variables.