Responding to sociolinguistic change: new speakers and variationist sociolinguistics

Rodriguez-Ordoñez, I., Kasstan, J. and O'Rourke, B. (2022) Responding to sociolinguistic change: new speakers and variationist sociolinguistics. International Journal of Bilingualism, 26(5), pp. 529-541. (doi: 10.1177/13670069221110381)

Abstract

Aims: The goal of this special issue is to anchor an understanding of language variation and change in a relatively newly adopted framework for researching ‘new speakers’ of minoritized languages. Approach: This paper first reviews basic principles of variationist sociolinguistics as they apply to new-speaker contexts before critically engaging with the notion of speakerhood. Conclusions: We frame our discussion of new speakers as mobile bilinguals in contexts of sociolinguistics change. We call into question traditional ideals of speakerhood that have been couched in studies of bilingualism and language variation and change, and we emphasize the need to understand variation as part of the new social conditions that these speakers must navigate. This approach enriches approaches to measuring key factors in bilingualism (e.g. input, peer identity, language dominance), that are better adapted to the sociolinguistic ecologies of new speakers. Originality: This is the first special issue dedicated to the bi-/multilingual repertoires of minoritized language speakers that more readily encapsulates both a new speaker framework and standard principles of language variation and change. This introduction discusses important theoretical and methodological advancements in the field.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Rourke, Professor Bernadette
• Authors: Rodriguez-Ordoñez, I., Kasstan, J., and O'Rourke, B.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Hispanic Studies
• Journal Name: International Journal of Bilingualism
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1367-0069
• ISSN (Online): 1756-6878
• Published Online: 15 July 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Bilingualism 26(5): 529-541
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy