Anthropological Linguistics vs. Sociolinguistics

Attribute	Anthropological Linguistics	Sociolinguistics
Focus	Study of language in its cultural context	Study of language in its social context
Methods	Fieldwork, participant observation, interviews	Surveys, interviews, quantitative analysis
Goals	Understanding how language shapes culture	Understanding how language reflects and influences society
Key Figures	Franz Boas, Edward Sapir	William Labov, Dell Hymes

Definition

Anthropological Linguistics is a subfield of linguistics that focuses on the relationship between language and culture. It examines how language shapes and is shaped by social practices, beliefs, and values within a particular community. Sociolinguistics, on the other hand, is the study of how language is used in society and how social factors influence language variation and change. It looks at how language reflects and reinforces social structures, identities, and power dynamics.

Scope

Anthropological Linguistics tends to have a broader scope than Sociolinguistics. It not only looks at language variation and change within a society but also considers how language is used in different cultural contexts around the world. Anthropological Linguists may study language contact, language endangerment, language revitalization, and the role of language in shaping worldviews and social practices. Sociolinguistics, on the other hand, focuses more narrowly on the social aspects of language use within a specific community or group.

Methodology

Anthropological Linguists often use ethnographic methods to study language in its cultural context. They may conduct fieldwork, interviews, and participant observation to understand how language is used in everyday life. They may also analyze texts, narratives, and discourse to uncover underlying cultural meanings and values. Sociolinguists, on the other hand, may use quantitative methods such as surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis to study language variation and change within a community. They may also use qualitative methods such as interviews and sociolinguistic interviews to explore the social factors that influence language use.

Focus

Anthropological Linguistics tends to focus more on the cultural aspects of language, such as how language reflects and shapes cultural practices, beliefs, and identities. It may also examine how language is used in rituals, ceremonies, and other cultural events. Sociolinguistics, on the other hand, focuses more on the social aspects of language, such as how language is used to establish social relationships, express social identities, and negotiate power dynamics within a community.

Applications

Anthropological Linguistics has applications in fields such as anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, and language revitalization. It can help researchers understand how language is used to construct and maintain social relationships, identities, and power structures within a society. Sociolinguistics, on the other hand, has applications in fields such as education, language policy, and communication studies. It can help policymakers and educators understand how language variation and change impact social interactions, educational outcomes, and language planning.