ABSTRACT
I start with the assumption that there exist specifiable correlations between language and elements of social structure. The nature of the correlations may vary in given cases but what is basic to the assumption remains true and may be formulated as follows. Language is primarily a social phenomenon; despite the fact that some of man’s biological attributes play a decisive part in the acquisition and subsequent use of language, it remains the property of social man rather than that of animal man. This gives rise to the possible hypothesis that aspects of social structure would be reflected in language. Such an assumption forms the very basis of sociolinguistics. Although accounts of coherent theories and methodologies for this field are conspicuous almost by their absence, the literature does vindicate the above hypothesis.
