Research methods in Sociolinguistics

Abstract

The development of Sociolinguistics has been qualitatively and quantitatively outstanding within Linguistic Science since its beginning in the 1950s, with a steady growth in both theoretical and methodological developments as well as in its interdisciplinary directions within the spectrum of language and society. Field methods in sociolinguistic studies have been motivated by the various research objectives pursued: sociological, sociolinguistic, or linguistic goals. The aim of this paper is twofold: (i) to provide a review of the theoretical movements within Sociolinguistics, and, on the basis of this review, (ii) to explore their consequences and implications on the research methods used in the field. This will be achieved by conducting both a retrospective synthesis of past developments and achievements, and an exploration of the current situation and of potential future developments.