Language and Society - The nature of sociolinguistic perception. Language Variation and Change

This paper deals with the social meaning of language, social categorization and covert reaction. It also goes into detail with the question if the use of the variable ING is linked to a perception of the speaker as intelligent or educated. Furthermore it will be discussed if the indexical field is a useful tool for understanding the use of a variable like –ING and its social interpretation. Afterwards the methods and results of Campbell-Kibler’s study are portrayed which include a discussion of the indexical field.