• The sociolinguistic variable of "word-final devoicing" is binary. This variable refers to the voicing of the final consonant of a word. In English, word-final devoicing occurs when a word ends in a voiceless consonant, such as /p/, /t/, or /k/. For example, the words "tap", "step", and "sack" all end in voiceless consonants.
• This variable is binary because there are only two possible values: a word can either be voiced or voiceless. The value of the variable is determined by the final consonant of the word. If the final consonant is voiced, then the word is voiced. If the final consonant is voiceless, then the word is voiceless.
• This variable is significant because it can change the meaning of a word. For example, the word "tap" can mean either a light touch or a type of valve. The word "step" can mean either a single movement or a unit of measurement. The word "sack" can mean either a bag or to fire someone from their job. The meaning of these words changes depending on whether they are voiced or voiceless.
• This variable is also significant because it can affect the way a word is pronounced. For example, the word "tap" is pronounced differently than the word "step". The word "tap" is pronounced with a shorter vowel sound, while the word "step" is pronounced with a longer vowel sound. This is because the voiceless consonant at the end of the word "tap" causes the vowel sound to be shortened.
• Overall, the sociolinguistic variable of "word-final devoicing" is a binary variable that refers to the voicing of the final consonant of a word. This variable is significant because it can change the meaning of a word and affect the way a word is pronounced.

The question was identify a sociolinguistic variable and describe in linguistic terms and give 5 examples.

 

Could you tell me how I would convert this information into the following format

1. Stating the variable 

Identify the language/variety thereof: 

Identify the variable and its variants, 

in (a) formal and 

(b) prose terms: 

Could you help me with this question: State a hypothesis as to a social distinction that you think might correlate with the variable you identify in (1). Try to also represent this in binary fashion, i.e. with only two possible values, even if you think that the situation could perhaps actually be more complex. For example, you might hypothesise a social distinction of "older than 50" vs. "younger than 50", or "university educated" vs. "not university educated", or "male" vs. "female", etc. Yes, we are aware that reality is not always so neat and tidy. Let's take one step at a time, please. 

 

Clearly state your hypothesis (a) in informal prose, and (b) more formally in a 2x2 table, as in the following (again, based on Labov's Department Store study): Example below:

 

	Middle class speakers	Lower class speakers
Post-vocalic [r] present	Majority of speakers	Minority of speakers
Post-vocalic [r] absent	Minority of speakers	Majority of speakers

And this one:

1. Give clear and specific instructions for another person so that they could carry out the study themselves. This should include a precise description of the set-up of your experiment. In your experiment design, strive to minimise the observer's paradox, and explain how you have done so.