Recent Trends in Sociolinguistics

Abstract

Language is the medium of expression of man, so the way in which he behaves more in society, it assumes a corresponding shape. A person learns his mother tongue without understanding grammar, but for learning another language, it is necessary to have knowledge of grammar and standard pronunciation, which has to be formally obtained from educational institutions. Language maintenance and upbringing in society can have many causes: social, psychological, cultural, political, or economic. Every linguistic community has its own circumstances, due to which diversity is seen in the linguistic behavior of its speakers. People speaking many languages live in the same society, they use mother tongue in their family, therefore, when the people of the society come in contact with each other, their language also comes in contact. Due to language contact, it is natural for some changes to happen in the language. In this context the study of Uriel Weinreich is very important. How do different languages come into contact with each other? What is the reason for them? And what are the far-reaching consequences of coming into contact? Wainreich's findings are very relevant in this context. According to Prof. Raghuvir Prasad Bhatnagar, the condition of language contact gives rise to bilingualism. In this situation, the person feels the need to use a second language in addition to his native language (first language). He has less (more or less) authority over the second language. Such a person is said to be bilingual. But sometimes such persons are also found who have equal rights on first language and second language and who use both languages with equal ability. These people are called bilinguals. In this way language contact generates bilingualism. At one end of a scale is a speaker who uses only the first language. The middle position is that of bilingual, who acquires more or less ability of a second language and uses it too. On the other hand, there is a bilingual who is a rare person who uses both the languages equally with full authority and with equal ability.