The need for new approaches to social class analysis in sociolinguistics

Existing approaches to SC in sociolinguistics (ignoring it, considering it marginally & simplistically, considering it substantially but only with ready-made, functionalist-oriented, multi-index scales) are criticized for their limitations. It is argued that sociolinguists need to draw more heavily on ethnographic methods that reveal locally relevant distinctions, & on conflict models like those of Karl Marx, Max Weber, & R. Dahrendorf, which focus on the schisms within society & the differences in economic & political interests & values between groups. The potential value of these approaches is shown with data from Cane Walk Guyana, where ethnographic research reveals a two-class system in which the fieldworkers on the sugar estate (estate class) use creole pronominal & other features almost exclusively, whereas the field-foremen, clerks, shopowners, & tradesmen (non-estate class) use Eng features almost exclusively. Contrary to what a functionalist model might predict, these differences in lang use reflect differences in choice & value orientation rather than access or ability, the estate class workers in particular espousing conflict ideologies & using creole as a means of establishing their opposition to the existing social order, the non-estate class members espousing a functionalist philosophy according to which increased use of Eng is seen as leading to upward mobility in the SE & status hierarchy. It is suggested that ethnographic & conflict perspectives might be better than functionalist models for explaining other instances of intracommunity heterogeneity documented in the recent sociolinguistic literature, & that their neglect is only one of several indications that sociolinguists need to draw more heavily on theoretical insights & methods that the social sciences have to offer. 1 Figure, 44 References. AA