1. Language and social
inequality
presented by:
Dani
Debby Utami
Efi Fitria
Wina Winarti

2. LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Use of different linguistic items by a speaker for communicating
the same message with in different social situation gave birth to the
idea of linguistic and social inequality. When a speaker makes a
choice with in the vast range of linguistic choices, the selection
made by the speaker shows a degree of preference for any choice.
All this depends on the social and educational status of the
speaker. Means to say people have different levels of linguistic
competence and linguistic performance which provide basis for the
notion of linguistic inequality. In the same way people with
different social and cultural background shows the levels of social
inequality as well as different social status.

3. In the twentieth century, linguistic commonalities have been given
more importance than the linguistic differences. The linguists have
been trying to find similarities among all the languages of the world.
This century presented the idea that no variety of language is better
than other but that all the varieties of languages or dialects have
common features has been developed among the linguists. In fact the
layman has different belief in this regard but the idea presented by
linguists seems sound. In the same way as linguistic differences show
no variety of language, the grammar of the different languages can not
identically represent any language. Of course, there is no shortage of
differences between grammars, whether of individuals or the whole
communities. But there is no purely linguistic ground for ranking any
of the grammars higher than others. Inspite these notions based on
linguistic equality, it is acknowledged that linguistic and social
inequality affects the language and its use to a great extent.

4. Social inequality
refers to a situation in which individual groups in a society do not
have equal social status, social class, and social circle. Areas of
social inequality include voting rights, freedom of speech and
assembly, the extent of property right and access to education,
health care, quality housing, traveling, transportation,
vacationing and other social goods and services. Apart from that
it can also be seen in the quality of family and neighborhood life,
occupation, job satisfaction, and access to credit. If these
economic divisions harden, they can lead to social divisions.

5. causes
The reasons for social inequality can vary, but are often broad
and far reaching. Social inequalities exist between races, classes
and countries. The results of such social inequalities can be seen
around the globe in the history of all countries.
Social inequality is different from economic inequality, though
the two are linked. Social inequality refers to disparities in the
distribution of economic assets and income. While economic
inequality is caused by the unequal accumulation of wealth,
social inequality exists because the lack of wealth in certain areas
prohibits these people from obtaining the same housing, health
care, etc. as the wealthy, in societies where access to these social
goods depends on wealth.

6. Social inequality is linked to racial inequality, gender
inequality, and wealth inequality. The way people behave
socially, through racism and other forms of discrimination, tends
to trickle down and affect the opportunities and wealth
individuals can generate for themselves. Thomas M. Shapiro
presents a hypothetical example of this in his book, The Hidden
Cost of Being African American, in which he tries to demonstrate
the level of inequality on the "playing field for blacks and whites".
One example he presents reports how a black family was denied a
bank loan to use for housing, while a white family was approved.
As being a homeowner is an important method in acquiring
wealth, this situation created fewer opportunities for the black
family to acquire wealth, producing social inequlity.

7. Forms of social inequality
Gender Inequality
Racial Inequality
Caste Inequality
Age Inequality

8. conclusion
The relationship between language and social inequality is
the idea that some expressions of language are valued
more than others in a way that is associated with some
people being more valued than others and some ideas
expressed by people through language being more valued
than others.
Dell Hymes expressed this general view of language and
social inequality in his essay on the origins of inequality
among speakers ( Hymes 1973 ).