Social Stratification of Language

Social stratification of language describes the regular way that the frequency of linguistic variants increases or decreases across socioeconomic classes and speech styles, mapping language onto social structure.

Definition

Social stratification of language is the systematic patterning of linguistic variants by socioeconomic class and speech style, such that the rates at which speakers use particular variants line up with their position in the social hierarchy.

Scope

This topic covers the correlation of variants with social class, the sharp versus gradient (fine) stratification of variables, hypercorrection by lower-middle-class speakers, and the interaction of class with style so that more careful speech tends toward prestige forms. It includes the classic department-store and Norwich findings and the methods used to index social class. Stratification by gender, ethnicity, and network is introduced here but developed under social identity.

Core questions

• How do variant frequencies pattern across social classes?
• What is the difference between sharp and fine (gradient) stratification?
• Why do lower-middle-class speakers often hypercorrect toward prestige forms?
• How do class and style interact in the use of variants?

Key concepts

• Sharp vs. fine stratification
• Prestige and stigmatized variants
• Lower-middle-class hypercorrection
• Class-by-style interaction

Key theories

Sociolinguistic stratification

Labov's New York City study showed that the rate of variants such as postvocalic /r/ rises steadily with social class and with formality of style, demonstrating a regular mapping of language onto social structure.

Lower-middle-class hypercorrection

In the most formal styles, lower-middle-class speakers can overshoot higher-class groups in their use of prestige variants, reflecting linguistic insecurity and aspiration toward the standard.

History

The pattern was established by Labov's 1966 New York City study, including the famous department-store survey of /r/, and confirmed cross-linguistically by Trudgill's 1974 study of Norwich English.

Key figures

• William Labov
• Peter Trudgill

Seminal works

• labov2006
• trudgill1974

Frequently asked questions

What is hypercorrection in this context?

It is the tendency of lower-middle-class speakers, in formal speech, to use prestige variants even more frequently than the higher social groups they are emulating, a sign of linguistic insecurity.