What type of language variation is associated with specific social groups?

Sociolect refers to the variations in language used by specific social groups, often characterized by shared social identities, backgrounds, or experiences. This type of language variation is distinguished by factors such as age, socioeconomic status, educational background, and cultural influence, which together shape how these groups communicate.

Sociolects can include specific vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation that inform the social identity of the speakers. For example, the way a group of teenagers might use slang could be different from how professionals communicate in a business setting. These variations serve not only as a means of identification within the group but also as a boundary that sets them apart from others.

While dialects encompass broader regional or geographical variations in language, accents focus solely on pronunciation differences regardless of social identity. An idiolect refers to the unique way an individual speaks, which incorporates personal influences rather than group characteristics. Thus, sociolect is specifically linked to the linguistic attributes tied to social groups, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.