Social Networks

Rationale

Language surveyors rarely assess social networks directly. But social networks play a great part in influencing language and therefore in determining the outcome of language development programmes.

Particularly if we are involved in informing strategies which involve clusters of communities, we need to be able to assess the extent to which communities can and do work together. In addition, it is essential that communities take ownership of the development of their own languages. A good understanding of the social networks that exist in a community can give some indication as to whether that community will, as a whole, engage with a development programme.

Tools

• The SIL language survey team in Papua New Guinea have developed and are trialling a Community Connection Tool using Participatory Methods. This is in order to assess how multiplex the social networks of a particular community may be. In addition, the tool is also intended to reveal attitudes to different surrounding communities through the process of evaluating those they feel they have the best connection with. This tool was developed to provide data to inform language project managers about the potential of particular communities to participate in multi-language projects.
• Sociolingustic interviews or questionnaires can also reveal a great deal about social networks. See the Questionnaires page for an example of a Contact Pattern Questionnaire which would provide data about social networking.