The need of people to communicate leads to the contact of their languages. Language contact situations lead to various linguistic and sociolinguistic variation.
Since language is not only linguistic rules, social rules have the great impact on language change. The American linguist Noam Chomsky argued that "to learn a language, is to know the rules perfectly well". Rules should include linguistic and social ones. Among social variables that influence language we cite: Ethnicity,religion, status, gender and level of education.
As an example of ethnic variation of language we have the African American Vernacular English (A.A.V.E.) which is spoken in the south of the U.S. by many blacks. It is characterized by the use of the infinity form of the verb "to be" in sentences such as "He is a teacher", they say "He be a teacher". This represents a linguistic change which is the result of a social one.
Also it is found in England that the working class used to use a simple English that fits their daily occupations. Whereas, the middle and upper classes usually tend to use the standard R.P. English. This is also a language change which is due to class divisions.
Gender also has its impact on language. Man language is different than woman language, and this is due to their role in society. The level of education has also its influence on language. the language of doctors and university teachers does not seem as the language of carpenters and masons.
As an example of ethnic variation of language we have the African American Vernacular English (A.A.V.E.) which is spoken in the south of the U.S. by many blacks. It is characterized by the use of the infinity form of the verb "to be" in sentences such as "He is a teacher", they say "He be a teacher". This represents a linguistic change which is the result of a social one.
Also it is found in England that the working class used to use a simple English that fits their daily occupations. Whereas, the middle and upper classes usually tend to use the standard R.P. English. This is also a language change which is due to class divisions.
Gender also has its impact on language. Man language is different than woman language, and this is due to their role in society. The level of education has also its influence on language. the language of doctors and university teachers does not seem as the language of carpenters and masons.
Language is governed not only by linguistic rules, but also social rules; which are the result of social contact situations.
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