social constructionism n
also social construction of knowledge
the theory that knowledge is constructed through social interaction with
others and reflects the learner’s culture, customs, beliefs as well as the his-
torical, political, social and other dimensions of the learning context. This
theory is sometimes used as a basis for teaching composition or rhetoric and
is an important dimension of critical pedagogy.
social construction of knowledge n
see social constructionism
social context n
the environment in which meanings are exchanged. (According to the
linguist Halliday) the social context of language can be analyzed in terms
of three factors:
a The field of discourse refers to what is happening, including what is being
talked about.
b The tenor of discourse refers to the participants who are taking part in
this exchange of meaning, who they are and what kind of relationship
they have to one another (see role relationship).
c The mode of discourse refers to what part the language is playing in this
particular situation, for example, in what way the language is organized
to convey the meaning, and what channelis used – written or spoken or
a combination of the two.
Example: A foreign language lesson in a secondary school.
field: language study, a defined area of information about the foreign
language, e.g. the use of tenses. Teacher imparting, students
acquiring knowledge about tenses and their use.
tenor: participants: teacher – students. Fixed role relationships defined by
the educational institution. Teacher in higher role. Temporary role
relationships between students, depending on personality.
mode: language used for instruction and discussion. Channel: spoken
(e.g. questions eliciting information, answers supplying informa-
tion, acted dialogues by students) and written (e.g. visual presenta-
tion on blackboard, textbooks, additional reading material).
see also functions of language^2 , systemic linguistics
social dialect
also sociolect n
a dialect associated with a given demographic group (e.g. women versus
men, older versus younger speakers, or members of different social classes).
social constructionism