社会语言学, or sociolinguistics, is the study of how language varies and changes in social contexts. It examines how factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and social class influence language use and communication. Researchers in this field analyze dialects, accents, and language attitudes to understand the relationship between language and society. This discipline also explores how language reflects social identities and power dynamics. For instance, it investigates how certain languages or dialects may be perceived as more prestigious or stigmatized. By studying these aspects, sociolinguistics helps us understand the complexities of human interaction and cultural diversity.