Language Socialization

Language socialization is the process whereby people learn to participate in the social and cultural life of their communities. Although the term community can be contested, here it refers to both established and emergent constructions of membership. The language socialization process entails not just learning forms of language but also how to use language in culturally meaningful ways. This means-ends model posits that in any given exchange, people are socialized through and to language. It also centrally includes acquiring the desirable mores and modes of comportment to participate competently in a social group. Language socialization researchers understand that individuals become members of multiple communities throughout the life span and that socialization is a life-long process.

Language socialization studies focus on everyday activities and the routine interactions ...