Editing Sociolinguistics (section)

== Sociolinguistic variation ==
{{Main|Variation (linguistics)|Dialectology|Language and gender}}The study of language [[Variation (linguistics)|variation]] is concerned with social constraints determining language in its contextual [[Social environment|environment]]. The variations will determine some of the aspects of language like the sound, grammar, and tone in which people speak, and even non-verbal cues. [[Code-switching]] is the term given to the use of different varieties of language depending on the social situation. This is commonly used among the African-American population in the United States. There are several different types of age-based variation one may see within a population as well such as age range, age-graded variation, and indications of linguistic change in progress. The use of slang can be a variation based on age. Younger people are more likely to recognize and use today's slang while older generations may not recognize new slang, but might use slang from when they were younger.

Variation may also be associated with gender, as men and women, on average, tend to use slightly different language styles. These differences are typically quantitative rather than qualitative. In other words, while women may use certain speaking styles more frequently than men, the distinction is comparable to height differences between the sexes—on average, men are taller than women, yet some women are taller than some men. Similar variations in speech patterns include differences in pitch, tone, speech fillers, interruptions, and the use of euphemisms, etc.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gender and Communication|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340682460|access-date=2021-04-23|website=ResearchGate|language=en}}</ref>

These gender-based differences in communication extend beyond face-to-face interactions and are also evident in digital spaces. Despite the continuous evolution of social media platforms, cultural and societal norms continue to shape online interactions. For instance, men and women often adopt different non-verbal cues and roles in virtual conversations. However, when it comes to fundamental aspects of communication—such as spoken language, active listening, providing feedback, understanding context, selecting communication methods, and managing conflicts—their approaches tend to be more similar than different.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.3390/journalmedia6020047 | doi-access=free | title=Social Media's Influence on Gendered Interpersonal Communication: Insights from Jordan | date=2025 | last1=Zibin | first1=Aseel | last2=Al-Sabatin | first2=Yara | last3=Altakhaineh | first3=Abdel Rahman Mitib | journal=Journalism and Media | volume=6 | issue=2 | page=47 }}</ref>

Beyond these stylistic differences, research suggests that gendered language patterns are also influenced by social expectations and power dynamics. Women, for instance, are more likely to use hedging expressions (e.g., "I think" or "perhaps") and tag questions ("isn't it?") to soften their statements and promote conversational cooperation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lakoff |first=Robin |date=1975 |title=Language and woman's place |url=https://web.stanford.edu/class/linguist156/Lakoff_1973.pdf |journal=Language in Society |language=en |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=45–79 |doi=10.1017/S0047404500000051 |issn=1469-8013}}</ref> Meanwhile, men tend to adopt more assertive and direct speech patterns, reflecting broader societal norms that associate masculinity with dominance and authority.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tannen |first=Deborah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9_YK28xac8C&dq=Tannen%2C+D.+%281994%29.+Gender+and+Discourse.+Oxford+University+Press.&pg=PR9 |title=Gender and Discourse |date=1994-07-07 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-972782-7 |language=en}}</ref> 



Variation in language can also come from ethnicity, economic status, level of education, etc. {{further|Complimentary language and gender}}