[soh-see-oh-ling-gwis-tiks, soh-shee-] 
) | the study of language as it functions in society; the study of the interaction between linguistic and social variables. |
| so·ci·o·lin·guis·tics (sō'sē-ō-lĭng-gwĭs'tĭks, -shē-) n. (used with a sing. verb) The study of language and linguistic behavior as influenced by social and cultural factors. so'ci·o·lin'guist n., so'ci·o·lin·guis'tic adj. |