Social Language
Social language is also referred to as pragmatic language. When we greet people, share information with others, request our favorite show or song, promise our friend to save them a seat, or make a demand for what we need, we’re using social language. Social language also refers to the rules we follow when participating in conversations and story-telling. Good conversations and story-telling include establishing and maintaining a topic, taking turns with our conversational partners and using appropriate non-verbal communication (e.g. facial expressions, gestures) while maintaining personal space. When you change how you speak when talking to teachers or to friends, you’re using your social language. When you change the volume of your voice from red, to yellow, to green whether you’re in the hallway, in class or on the playground, you’re using social language! Just like academic language, it’s important to learn and practice how to use social language.