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Methods, innovations and extensions: Reflections on half a century of methodology in social dialectology
Author(s) -
Meyerhoff Miriam
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of sociolinguistics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1467-9841
pISSN - 1360-6441
DOI - 10.1111/josl.12195
Subject(s) - sociology , ingenuity , variation (astronomy) , sociolinguistics , linguistics , dialectology , triangulation , perception , epistemology , geography , philosophy , physics , cartography , astrophysics
Labov's ingenuity in devising methods for collecting and analysing ‘the language used by ordinary people in their everyday affairs’ (1972: 69) is unmatched. This paper considers the goals and underlying questions shaping the methods that Labov innovated for (1) collecting quantities of everyday speech, (2) approaching variation in language use scientifically, and (3) thinking interdisciplinarily. The first includes the sociolinguistic interview, and other activities focused directly on forms, and critiques of Labov's methods. The second includes quantitative methods and raises some broader issues around triangulation. The third includes the complementary use of attitudes and perception data with production data. It concludes by suggesting that Labov's body of work has also contributed to the creation of a distinct, sociolinguistic community of practice.