Innovation in Language Learning

            Linguist Sapir once said: Language is the forerunner of social reality. What could be concluded from this sentence is that the research paradigm on sociology is turning to language study, while the Positivism and native research method existing in classical sociological also provide researching pathin for the linguistic study. Most scholars believe the social linguistics and sociology of language should be regarded as two different Schools of linguistic theory.

        In terms of social lingustics, it represents the micro part of linguistic research, which focuses on the relationship between the development of language system and the changes about social condition, such as social developing stage and historical tradition. With regard to the sociology of language, it demonstrates the macro aspects of language, researching issues including the realistic foundation of language, language form, language policy, value of language and the social phenomenon reflected from language. What the sociology focuses is that language, should not only be seen as the implemental being during human’s communication, but also the foundamental situation for human’s existence. Firstly, in the form of discourse, application of language could indicate individual’s social status. Besides, as the elementary formation of human’s existence, language sigifies one’s traditional culture and aesthetic experience. Furthermore, as subjects of discousing, each participant may try to provide equal treatment and moral concern for the other, basing on common value and ethical appeal.

        With the development of cultural globalization, intercultural communication has become the main characteristics of contemporary communication. Under the horizon of sociology of language, there are three “inter” existing in the process of cross-cultural communicaiton—interdiscursivity, interculture and intersubjectivity. Elementary, sociology of language studies the construcion to social situation of subjects’ communication by language. Secondly, sociology of language has got rid of influence of the tradional metaphysics, turning to study on problems appearing in life world. Thirdly, sociology of language pays attention to the formation and development of bilingual phenomenon, which has greatly influenced the identity and understanding between the different ethnic groups during the cultrual communicaiton.