Social Class and Language

On Social Class , Language and Education

Social class refers to the leveling of society into certain and specific hierarchies . Members of society are divided into groups indicating a particular level in the hierarchy , a specific rung on the ladder of society . In some societies , social classes are not power or hierarchy- based . In most societies , however , social classes are distinctions between the powerful and the powerless . Thus the social class that an individual is a part of gives him or her specific status in that society

There are various factors that

define and determine a social class Some of these variables include neighborhood , occupation , wealth education , income , power , family and prestige . Social class can also be determined according to an individual 's personal style . This involves factors such as grooming , reputation , etiquette , name titles , and language . It is usually the case that individuals born into a certain social class stay in that class but this is not always the case (Gilbert , 1998

Social or class mobility is a concept present in most societies categorized into social classes . This term refers to an individual 's potential and capability to either climb up or down the social ladder to achieve either higher or lower social status in his or her society Climbing up is usually done willfully whereas climbing down the ladder is usually attributed to events beyond the individual 's control

In societies with classes determined by and determining power , there are usually three general distinct divisions . These are the upper class the middle class , and the lower class . Although there are major divisions , these may be further divided into subdivision depending on the society at hand

Social Class in the United States

In the United States , social classes are highly discussed and acknowledged . There are even those who believe that the social classes present in the United States are essential to its survival as a nation (Thompson Hickey , 2005 ) It is a society bound by the fact that its hierarchies determine an individual 's power in influencing and making decisions in society . There are seven social classes in the United States - two upper classes , three middle classes , and two lower classes (Gilbert , 1998

The upper class is divided into the upper upper class , those individuals said to have old money , and the lower upper class , those individuals said to have come into new money . This indicates a separation even between wealthy individuals . There are those who were already rich from the start and those who only acquired their wealth and are therefore of lower status than the first . However , there are still ways by which those in the lower upper can climb the social ladder and reach the social class of upper upper (Gilbert , 1998

The United States ' middle class is divided into the upper middle class which includes the professionals , the middle class , which includes the white collar workers and entrepreneurs , and the working class , wich includes the blue collar workers . The lower class is divided into upper lower...