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REVIEW ARTICLE
The social dimension of language. A review of the literature
 
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Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Zakład Turystyki i Rekreacji, Akademia Bialska im. Jana Pawła II, Polska
 
These authors had equal contribution to this work
 
 
Submission date: 2025-03-06
 
 
Acceptance date: 2025-04-23
 
 
Publication date: 2025-05-06
 
 
Corresponding author
Michał Bergier   

Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Zakład Turystyki i Rekreacji, Akademia Bialska im. Jana Pawła II, ul. Sidorska 95/97, 21-500, Biała Podlaska, Polska
 
 
Rozprawy Społeczne/Social Dissertations 2025;19(1):148-156
 
KEYWORDS
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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Language is a rapidly developing, dynamic and living phenomenon. It is one of the most important elements of culture, directly related to the traditions of individual societies, as well as to everyday life and social relations. Language can both integrate and divide a society. Sociolect, jargon, or slang can be what distinguishes individual social groups, binds the people belonging to them together, and sets values that sometimes oppose the commonly held ones. Language can also be an important component in the formation of niche groups, and people belonging to them can find a safe space, support and a way to express their emotions or needs with the help of language. The paper undertakes an analysis of the literature, on the basis of which language is shown to be an important social element. Recent, as well as classic approaches to such issues as sociolinguistics, sociolekt, jargon and slang, and their impact on societies are presented. Material and Methods: The article is a review. Results: The paper reviews the literature on sociolinguistics, sociolekt, jargon and slang, demonstrating their social dimension and significant impact on social life and its accompanying processes. Conclusions: Language is one of the most important elements of culture and social life. The sociolects, jargon and slang used can have both positive and negative effects on social life and interpersonal relations. The intensive development and modification of language should inspire continuous updated research and sociolinguistic analysis that allows observation of changes occurring in the subject of research.
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