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3 The Sociology
of
Language
Joshua A. Fishman
Man
is
constantly using language -spoken language, written language,
printed language -
and
man
is
constantly linked to others via shared norms
of
behavior. The sociology
of
language examines the interaction between
these two aspects
of
human behavior: the use
of
language and the social
organization
of
behavior. Briefly put, the sociology
of
language focuses
upon the entire gamut
of
topics related to the social organization
of
language behavior, including not only language usage per se but
also language attitudes and overt behaviors toward language
and
toward
language users.
SOCIOLINGUISTIC HEADLINES
The latter concern
of
the sociology
of
language -overt behavior toward
language
and
toward language users -
is
a concern shared by political
and
educational leaders in many parts
of
the world
and
is
an aspect
of
sociolinguistics that frequently makes headlines in the newspapers. Many
French-Canadian university students oppose the continuation
of
public
education in English in the Province
of
Quebec. Many Flemings in Belgium
