Individual differences in perceived linguistic change following life-course transitions in the personal domain

In this article, we evaluate (a) which major life events (MLEs) in the personal domain (relocation, new friendship, romantic relationship, marriage, parenthood, and grandparenthood) impact on perceived linguistic change among 309 Austrians, and (b) which quantitatively and qualitatively captured individual differences mediate this relationship. We found that age at the time of the MLE and proficiency in (non)standard varieties were particularly predictive of individual-level perceived linguistic change, and whether individuals reported an MLE-related strengthened orientation towards vernacularity or standard language was mediated by a complex constellation of MLE-resultant changes in social networks and socioaffective factors.