Sociolinguistics: The Influence of Social Groups on Language

In the field of linguistics, there is a plethora of research examining the connection between language and social groups. Factors such as age, gender, class, occupation, ethnicity, and geographical region can greatly shape an individual's language use. One prominent linguist who has dedicated her work to this topic is Penelope Eckert. In this article, we will explore Eckert's research, particularly her renowned study on 'Jocks and Burnouts'. Additionally, we will examine how her findings align with other linguists' investigations in the broader field of social groups.

Penelope Eckert: A Brief Introduction

Penelope Eckert is a linguistics professor at Stanford University in California, known for her research in variationist sociolinguistics, with a primary focus on language and gender. Variationist sociolinguistics is a branch of sociolinguistics that delves into the social variation of individuals who speak the same dialect, with a particular emphasis on the contexts of language use.

If you have studied English Language before, you may recognize Eckert's name. Let's briefly review the four most significant years associated with her work (1989, 1990, 1997, and 2003) before diving into her 'Jocks and Burnouts' study.

Eckert 1989: 'Jocks and Burnouts'

In 1989, Eckert published her study called 'Jocks and Burnouts: Social Categories and Identity in the High School'. This research delves into the relationship between communities of practice and their language patterns.

A community of practice (CoP) refers to a group of individuals who share similar interests, problems, or activities. They work together to achieve individual and group goals. Examples of CoPs include school classes, a netball team, a digital marketing team, etc. According to Eckert's findings, people with common interests and hobbies tend to be part of the same communities of practice.

Since this is the focus of our article, we will pause here and revisit it later.

Eckert 1990: 'Cooperative Competition in Adolescent Girl Talk'

In 1990, Eckert published an article called 'Cooperative Competition in Adolescent Girl Talk', in which she explores the connection between various social factors and their corresponding language patterns, specifically the use of gendered language. Acknowledging the significant role of social factors in shaping a person's language use, Eckert is renowned for her views on language and gender.

Eckert 1997: 'Gender and Sociolinguistic Variation' & 'Gender, Race, and Class in the Preadolescent Marketplace of Identities'

In 1997, Eckert released a series of works discussing different social aspects of language use. One of her publications, 'Gender and Sociolinguistic Variation', focuses on how gender influences language use. Another study, 'Gender, Race, and Class in the Preadolescent Marketplace of Identities', delves into a broader range of social factors and how they contribute to individuals constructing their identities through language.

Eckert 2003: 'Language and Gender'

In 2003, Eckert co-authored a book with Sally McConnell-Ginet, titled 'Language and Gender', which thoroughly examines the use of different language features, such as slang in youth culture. The book explores how teenagers utilize these features to differentiate themselves from older generations.

A Recap of 'Jocks and Burnouts'

Eckert's 'Jocks and Burnouts' study is an ethnographic study of social class in Detroit high schools. An ethnographic study is a qualitative research method that collects data through interviews and observations, which is then analyzed to draw conclusions about how individuals and societies function in real-life environments.

The motivation behind Eckert's study stems from the fact that previous research on language and class primarily focused on the speech of adults. On the contrary, Eckert wanted to explore the relationship between class and language from the perspective of teenagers.

Within this study, Eckert examines communities of practice in schools and identifies two prominent groups among teenagers - the jocks and the burnouts. Now, let's take a closer look at these two groups and their language patterns.

The Jocks: A Middle-Class Community of Practice

Eckert's study identifies the first community of practice as the jocks. These students embody middle-class culture and are eager to assimilate into school life.

Impact of Social Factors on Vowel Variation: Penelope Eckert's Study on Language Differences and Communities of Practice

In the late 1980s, linguist Penelope Eckert conducted a study on the language differences among teenagers in Detroit. Her research focused on two distinct groups - the Jocks and the Burnouts - and how their involvement in different communities of practice influenced their language use.

Eckert's Study: The Jocks

Eckert found that the Jocks, who were actively involved in school activities such as sports clubs and choir, embodied middle-class values and sought recognition and praise from authority figures. Their language use reflected their participation in these middle-class practices.

Eckert's Study: The Burnouts

The Burnouts, on the other hand, were seen as belonging to a working-class culture and rejected middle-class norms. They did not participate in school activities and instead engaged in rebellious behavior. As a result, their language use was influenced by their anti-establishment views and working-class identity.

Language Differences and Communities of Practice

Eckert's study showed that language differences were closely linked to communities of practice, which were based on shared interests rather than social factors like class, ethnicity, and gender. This means that individuals were more likely to adopt the language of those who shared their interests, regardless of their social background.

For example, a 12-year-old African-American girl from a high-earning family who participated in choir as a social practice may speak similarly to a 17-year-old white boy from a low-income family who also joined the choir. Despite having different social factors, they both shared the common practice of attending choir, resulting in similar language use.

Vowel Variation: A Reflection of Social Factors

Eckert's study also revealed how social factors can influence vowel variation, referring to the slight differences in pronunciation of vowel sounds. Similar to other sociolinguistic research, her study showed that factors like age, gender, and community involvement can impact an individual's language use.

Takeaways from Eckert's Study

• Eckert's study focused on the impact of communities of practice on language differences.
• The Jocks and the Burnouts were two distinct groups with different language use based on their involvement in school activities.
• Language differences were influenced by shared interests and activities, rather than social factors.
• Social factors like age, gender, and community involvement can also affect vowel variation.

[Note: This study was originally conducted in 1989.]

Who is Penelope Eckert?

Penelope Eckert is a renowned linguist known for her research on language and gender. Her 1989 study on the Jocks and Burnouts in Detroit is one of her most notable works in this field. She has also co-authored a book on language and gender with Sally McConnell-Ginet (2003).

The Primary Focus of Penelope Eckert's Research: Variationist Sociolinguistics

Penelope Eckert is a renowned scholar who has dedicated her research to the field of variationist sociolinguistics. Her work primarily focuses on the relationship between language and gender, exploring how individuals use language as a means of expressing their identities and navigating social hierarchies.

The Jocks and Burnouts Study: A Landmark Work in Sociolinguistics

In 1989, Eckert conducted a groundbreaking study titled "Jocks and Burnouts: Social Categories and Identity in the High School." This study examined the linguistic behaviors and social identities of students in a high school, revealing the complex ways in which language use and social categories intersect in the adolescent world.

The Concept of Community of Practice in Sociolinguistics

One of the central concepts in Eckert's research is the idea of a "community of practice." This refers to a group of individuals who come together through their shared involvement in everyday activities. These activities not only shape their language use, but also influence their identities and social status within the community.

Exploring Language and Gender

In addition to her influential Jocks and Burnouts study, Eckert has published numerous works on the topic of language and gender. Her research delves into the various ways in which gender affects language use and vice versa. This includes examining the linguistic strategies used by girls to establish and maintain social status in their peer groups.

A Holistic Approach to Sociolinguistic Variation

Eckert's research also recognizes the intersection of multiple social categories, such as race and class, in shaping language use and identity. In her presentations at the American Anthropological Association and her book "Language and Gender" co-authored with Sally McConnell-Ginet, Eckert highlights the interconnectedness of these factors and the need for a holistic approach in understanding sociolinguistic variation.

Sources and Further Reading

• Eckert, Penelope. 1989. Jocks and Burnouts: Social Categories and Identity in the High School. Teachers College Press.
• Eckert, Penelope. 1990. Cooperative Competition in Adolescent Girl Talk. Discourse Processes.
• Eckert, Penelope. 1997. Gender and Sociolinguistic Variation. in: Jennifer Coates ed. Readings in Language and Gender. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Eckert, Penelope. 1997. Gender, Race and Class in the Preadolescent Marketplace of Identities. Paper presented at the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association. Washington DC.
• Eckert, Penelope and Sally McConnell-Ginet. 2003. Language and Gender. New York: Cambridge University Press.