Accommodation theory, also known
as communication accommodation
theory (CAT) or speech
accommodation theory (SAT), aims
In linguistics, the term to understand how and why we
accommodation refers to the way What? change our speech based on who
people adjust their speech and Accomodation we are talking to. The theory looks
communication style in face-to-face at the motivations behind
and other types of communication. accommodation in communication
and the consequences.
Linguistic e.g vocabulary, grammar use.
People generally accommodate
due to the influence of social
Paralinguistic e.g tone, pitch, accent. Types of communication Why? factors such as gender, culture,
ethnicity, native language, social
and occupational status, and age. The theory provides a framework
Non-Verbal e.g facial expressions, body language.
to predict and explain changes in
human communication.
In 1973, the sociolinguist Howard
Giles's accommodation theory Giles first introduced the Giles believed that individuals
states that there are two main Who? communication accommodation adjust their speech to create,
types of accommodation; theory in his article Accent maintain, or decrease social bonds
convergence and divergence. mobility: A model and some data. and interactions. For example,
Communication matching your speech patterns to
your interlocutor ( a person taking
Convergence and Divergence
Accomodation Theory
Convergence: When individuals change their speech to part in a conversation) can
sound more like their interlocutor strengthen your social bond.
Began as a sociopsychological
model that looked at accent and
Divergence: When individuals emphasise a difference
speech pattern changes in
in communication style
intercultural communications.
Communication that is driven by It has grown into an
our personalities. When we interdisciplinary model that,
communicate on an interpersonal Interpersonal communication although still centres around
level, we communicate for Extra language, now also examines other
ourselves and our interests. communicative and identity
features, such as body language
and dress sense.
This is communication that is
driven by our identities as Giles suggested that
members of a wider social group. communication happens on two
For example, a teacher may feel levels; interpersonal and
they are representing all teachers intergroup.
in certain situations and will adjust Intergroup communication
their communication accordingly.
How they talk around students,
parents, and peers will likely differ
from how they speak to friends or
family.
as communication accommodation
theory (CAT) or speech
accommodation theory (SAT), aims
In linguistics, the term to understand how and why we
accommodation refers to the way What? change our speech based on who
people adjust their speech and Accomodation we are talking to. The theory looks
communication style in face-to-face at the motivations behind
and other types of communication. accommodation in communication
and the consequences.
Linguistic e.g vocabulary, grammar use.
People generally accommodate
due to the influence of social
Paralinguistic e.g tone, pitch, accent. Types of communication Why? factors such as gender, culture,
ethnicity, native language, social
and occupational status, and age. The theory provides a framework
Non-Verbal e.g facial expressions, body language.
to predict and explain changes in
human communication.
In 1973, the sociolinguist Howard
Giles's accommodation theory Giles first introduced the Giles believed that individuals
states that there are two main Who? communication accommodation adjust their speech to create,
types of accommodation; theory in his article Accent maintain, or decrease social bonds
convergence and divergence. mobility: A model and some data. and interactions. For example,
Communication matching your speech patterns to
your interlocutor ( a person taking
Convergence and Divergence
Accomodation Theory
Convergence: When individuals change their speech to part in a conversation) can
sound more like their interlocutor strengthen your social bond.
Began as a sociopsychological
model that looked at accent and
Divergence: When individuals emphasise a difference
speech pattern changes in
in communication style
intercultural communications.
Communication that is driven by It has grown into an
our personalities. When we interdisciplinary model that,
communicate on an interpersonal Interpersonal communication although still centres around
level, we communicate for Extra language, now also examines other
ourselves and our interests. communicative and identity
features, such as body language
and dress sense.
This is communication that is
driven by our identities as Giles suggested that
members of a wider social group. communication happens on two
For example, a teacher may feel levels; interpersonal and
they are representing all teachers intergroup.
in certain situations and will adjust Intergroup communication
their communication accordingly.
How they talk around students,
parents, and peers will likely differ
from how they speak to friends or
family.
