General Considerations regarding the Sociology of Language

This article provides an overview of the sociology of language. Some positions are presented regarding the distinction between sociolinguistics and sociology of language. Here, the perspective that conceives them as differentiated disciplines is followed. Initially, general theoretical considerations are given regarding the linguistic contact, then, it is referred to some linguistic phenomena that arise in situations of linguistic contact, such as: bilingualism, diglossia, linguistic contact, and the choice of languages; In this section, some topics related to the social effects of bilingualism are addressed, namely: maintenance and substitution of a language, linguistic loyalty and disloyalty; Linguistic conflict, politics and language planning. In addition, information is provided on the influence of languages: linguistic convergence and divergence, linguistic interference, and code change (or linguistic alternation). Likewise, there are two effects of the social and linguistic contact of some languages: the pidgin and the criollo. The text is finished with conclusions. The article is designed and recommended for university students who are initiated in the field of study of the sociology of language.