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Sociophonetics - Science topic

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I would like to know if the analysis includes level of intelligibility of the interlocutor. Or does it focus only on the language variation and its social surroundings? (does sociophonetics (in general) covers intelligibility anyway?)
I am new on sociophonetics so please correct any idea that does not match on sociophonetics concept.
I hope hearing the answer soon. Thank you.
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Hello! Analysis generally covers accent of the interolocuter (which could include intelligibility). In the case of my study, there is only one interviewer (me) which is kept at a constant. It is certainly true that Sociophonetics addresses who the speaker is talking to. Jen Hay has written an article called "Sociophonetics: The Role of Words, the Role of Context, and the Role of Words in Context" (this appeared last year in the journal "Topics in Cognitive Science". It addresses the relationship between speaker and hearer, amongst other things.
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Ideology is one of the key factors in critical linguistic studies.However, approaching its reproduction or representation differs from one point of view to another.Thus, identifying the defining border lines of each view and how it is applied can help in setting the arenas where each field can function as different from the other fields.Views in this regard can also help to crystallize a better understanding of each field of study as far as dealing with ideology is concerned.
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Well, I think the difference is simply this: Ideology is represented in CDA through the linguistic manifestations of power while in Critical pragmatics it is the feasible context of use that might trigger ideology representation.
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Speakers all speak English in the interview, but they also speak various languages to different level of fluency.
How many participants does one need for a sociolinguistic/sociophonetic study?
Interviewees share some similarity in terms of place of eduction and some places of interaction, is it possible to make comparison between speakers? What to do with individual variability?
How to deal with background noise (consistent and inconsistent ones)?
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Dear Irene,
Here are your questions followed by my answers:
1. What are the best methodological approaches to deal with complex sociolinguistic interviews?
- Depends on what your objectives but if you want your findings to be highly transferable and dependable, try multiple methods; for example, consider collecting data through researcher journals, observations, and interviews and then triangulating your findings.
2. Speakers all speak English in the interview, but they also speak various languages to different level of fluency. How many participants does one need for a sociolinguistic/sociophonetic study?
- In qualitative research, we collect data from different cases and analyze the data repeatedly (read on iteration in QUAL method) until we reach a saturation point; meaning, no matter how many more cases you go to, you'll elicit the same data and obtain the same results. So, rather than be concerned with your sample size, you should specify your sampling method. However, if you really need to mention a sample size, state it based on your review of the previous similar studies, but even then state it as your 'tentative' sample size.
3. Interviewees share some similarity in terms of place of eduction and some places of interaction, is it possible to make comparison between speakers? What to do with individual variability?
- Not only that but also you may make comparisons between one single speaker at multiple interviews, depending on your objective.
4. How to deal with background noise (consistent and inconsistent ones)?
- In some studies, researchers may be interested in the interviewee's reaction of the background noise, but if you are not interested in it you could reduce it by using a professional voice recorder with a high sampling frequency rate of 96 kHz and built-in stereo Zoom H4N microphones; alternatively, you could look for recorders that allow for mic attachment to enhance sound quality.
Happy researching