Toward a sociolinguistic perspective on augmentative and alternative communication

Abstract

This paper explores the applicability of concepts drawn from multilingualism and sociolinguistic research to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It investigates how these may extend our conceptualizations and definitions of AAC contexts. Two interacting dimensions are discussed: multilingualism, the language patterns of the community, and multilinguality, the language patterns of the individual. A third aspect within sociolinguistics is how languages are combined and modified, created and mixed. These notions are applied to all participants across all sociolinguistic contexts, and not just to the individual AAC user. Communication systems vary in their relative status and function, which affect attitudes, perceptions, and hence use in different sociolinguistic contexts. Consequently, AAC interventions are essential at the level of the community and not just at the level of the individual. Applications for practitioners and researchers are presented.

• augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• multilingualism
• multilinguality
• social contexts
• sociolinguistics