Labov's Principles

William Labov's Principles focus on how language varies and changes in different social contexts. Key ideas include the importance of social factors, such as class and ethnicity, in shaping language use; the concept of linguistic change over time; and the significance of studying spoken language in real-life situations. Labov argued that language is not static but rather dynamic and influenced by various societal factors. His work highlights how dialects and changes in language reflect broader social dynamics and relationships, illustrating the connection between language, identity, and culture.