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Philosophy & Social Sciences

William Labov

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Who

William Labov · Philosophy & Social Sciences

What

Founder of variationist sociolinguistics, studying language change in social context.

When

1927, Passaic, New Jersey, USA — 2024, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Where

United States

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Biography

William Labov is recognized among Jewish contributors to Philosophy & Social Sciences — Founder of variationist sociolinguistics, studying language change in social context.

How & why

William Labov founded variationist sociolinguistics: his studies of Martha's Vineyard, of New York City department stores and of the Philadelphia dialect showed that language change is a socially structured, measurable process rather than a drift. He taught at the University of Pennsylvania for four decades. He was born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Benjamin Labov, a Russian Jewish immigrant, and Rhea White Labov.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Wikipedia

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Contributions & Sources

Founder of variationist sociolinguistics, studying language change in social context.

1927

Source: Wikipedia