sociolinguistics

The article is devoted to the analysis of the concept of apparent time used by modern sociolinguistics to identify the social features of the use of language by various socio-demographic groups. There are a number of problems that can be solved by using this empirical method. The fi rst problem is the “constraints”: which language changes are possible and which are not. Historical data can only show what changes have already occurred, but not what changes are possible/impossible.

The article considers the phenomenon of linguistic turn in the humanities, sociology in particular. The natural causes of this phenomenon generation from the point of view of various methodological approaches – symbolic interactionism, discourse theory, communication acts theory are presented. The formation of the new fi eld of theoretical sociology – linguosociology and it succession with sociology and sociolinguistics are substantiated. In conclusion, it is shown, that linguosociology is a natural phase in the development of socio-humanitarian knowledge.

The article reveals the features of the speech transformations of the elderly people associated with the changes in both biological and social characters. The stereotypes of age perception, ageism as a practice in communicating with the elderly, «secondary babbling» are considered. The practical recommendations aimed at removing barriers in interaction with an elderly person and their relevance in the field of social services for this category of citizens are highlighted.