THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

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SEMESTER I

SEMESTER II !

SUPPLEMENTAL/SUMMER SCHOOL !

Examinations of December

!/

April/May !

/ July !

2009-2010

Course Code and Name Title: LING2302: Introduction to Sociolinguistics Date: Duration __2________Hrs. Materials required: Answer booklet: Calculator:
(where applicable)

Time: Paper No:

Normal

Programmable ! Numerical

Special

Not Required !

Non Programmable

!
Included

Multiple Choice Answer Sheets:

Alphabetical

Auxiliary/Other material(s) Please specify: .... Candidates are permitted to bring the following items to their desks: .... INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES: This paper has _3 pages and __5_ questions.

ANSWER QUESTIONS 1 & 2 (SECTION A) AND ONE (1) QUESTION FROM SECTION B.

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SECTION A (DO BOTH QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION)

QUESTION 1 Write brief but comprehensive notes on three (3) of the following (provide examples where necessary): (a) Macro-Sociolinguistics vs. Micro-Sociolinguistics (b) Change from above vs. change from below (c) Diglossia vs. Bilingualism (d) Continuum vs. Multilingualism (e) A dialect vs. A language (f) Official language vs. National language [20 marks]

QUESTION 2 Examine the table given below (adapted from Labov, 1972):

(a) Identify and discuss three (3) generalizations that can be made from an examination of the data presented in the above table. [14 marks]

(b) How are the conclusions drawn in (2a) above similar to or different from research done by Trudgill or any other variationist researcher with which you are familiar? [6 marks]

Section A Total= 40 marks

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SECTION B (DO ONE QUESTION FROM THIS SECTION) QUESTION 3 (a) Discuss two (2) data collection methods used in sociolinguistic studies.

[4 marks]

(b) Discuss the problem of observers paradox, and how researchers such as Labov and Trudgill endeavour to overcome this problem. [6 marks] (c) Sociolinguistic studies are typically either qualitative or quantitative. With reference to any sociolinguistic studies with which you are familiar, discuss two (2) methodological implications of this distinction. [10 marks]

QUESTION 4 Creole varieties persist in the Caribbean social context in spite of the apparent advantage carried by standard languages such as English and French. Using sociolinguistic theories, suggest two (2) reasonable explanations for this persistence in both the individual and among many of the social groups in the Caribbean. [20 marks]

QUESTION 5 The analysis of a communicative event begins with a description of the components that are likely to be salient. Examine the following speech events and provide an ethnographic analysis of each and state the meaning of the speech acts. Speech Event 1 Speaker A:

Dont worry about it. I will find you a nice tutor. I dont want a nice tutor, I want Ms. Brown. [8 marks]

Speaker B:

Speech Event 2 Speaker A:

You should know better than to do such a thing. You will never be able to catch up this semester. If you do not start doing the work early, you will fall behind. Do you know how many people would love to be in your shoes? Education fully paid for. And yet you do not take any responsibility for... I dont need a lecture right now. [12 marks] END OF PAPER

Speaker B: