sociolet

A sociolect is a variety of language used by a particular social group. It is distinguished by features of phonology, vocabulary, and grammar that are associated with a specific social class, age group, ethnicity, or other social factors. Unlike a dialect, which is primarily defined by geographical region, a sociolect is linked to social stratification.

The study of sociolects falls under the domain of sociolinguistics, which examines the relationship between language and society. Researchers analyze how language use varies within a population and how these variations reflect social identities and power structures. For instance, certain pronunciations or word choices might be more prevalent among younger generations compared to older ones, or among individuals from a higher socioeconomic status than those from a lower one.

Sociolects can influence how individuals are perceived by others. The use of specific linguistic features can signal membership in a particular group and may, consciously or unconsciously, affect judgments about a speaker's background, education, or credibility. Conversely, adopting features of a dominant sociolect can sometimes be a strategy for social mobility. The boundaries between sociolects are often fluid, and individuals may code-switch, adjusting their language use depending on the social context and audience.