Original scientific paper
Methodological aspects of research in language as a social phenomenon
Anči Leburić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3705-9930
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Zorana Šuljug
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
In this text, the authors affirm the importance of researching language as a social phenomenon. Language research is extremely significant since we can learn a lot about the ways society is structured, about how it functions and about which are the most important mostly latent assumptions about other people. The process of language research is best understood as a cycle of six actions. The first step entails identifying concerns and developing research questions, as well as identifying an appropriate approach and sources of data. Therefore, the authors have decided to affirm a sociocultural approach as the most appropriate in language research. They also think that the process of gathering data must be systematic no matter what questions we ask, and which approaches we apply. Finally, the authors state that researching language from the sociocultural perspective means understanding the world, identities and roles in social actions. Thus, it means that revealing the meaning of human actions needs to be situated in the larger context of activity, while understanding social activities and attitudes needs to be connected to their manifestations and examples in the real world. The data used in the analyses of language and society are numerous and complex and require interdisciplinary approach that will, as authors conclude, contribute to a better understanding of language as a social phenomenon.
Keywords
research process; research methods; language; communication; sociocultural perspectives; interdisciplinary approach
Hrčak ID:
136156
URI
Publication date:
11.2.2008.
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