Sociolinguistic Interviews

Abstract

This chapter offers guidance in incorporating an ethnographic approach to fieldwork based on data collection through sociolinguistic interviews. It focuses on methods for conducting the sociolinguistic interview, a long-standing tool of sociolinguistic research. The chapter leads the researcher through the research process, from the idea stage through completion of their fieldwork. It discusses developing the researchers' plans, designing their data sample, contacting and entering communities, and engaging in fieldwork that incorporates an ethnographic perspective. Looking for patterns of variation according to language external or social factors is an essential part of sociolinguistic research. A number of social factors have been typical of sociolinguistic work since the field's inception. These include speakers' sex, age, measures of socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. There are several different methods for selecting participants for sociolinguistic research. The chapter presents aspects of two main approaches: random sampling and judgment samples that entail snowball/friend-of-a-friend methods for contact.

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