BETWEEN SOUNDS AND TERRITORIES

Phonetic-phonological variation and its sociolinguistic implications

Abstract

This study examines phonetic-phonological variation from a geosociolinguistic perspective through a bibliographic review of previously concluded research. The primary objective is to understand the intersections between phonetic and phonological features and territorial identities based on data from previously published case studies. The analysis encompasses phenomena such as consonant palatalization, vowel variations, rhotacism, and the elision of unstressed vowels, considering social variables such as age, gender, education level, and social mobility. The research findings demonstrate that territorial factors, including geography and historical-cultural context, are crucial in shaping phonetic-phonological patterns. Studies in southeastern Brazil highlight palatalization as a sociolinguistic marker associated with young urban groups, while in the northeast, rhotacism emerges as a characteristic feature of rural communities, reflecting specific regional identities. Additionally, phenomena such as assimilation and vowel elision reveal how informality and local speech rhythm directly influence sound patterns. The comparative analysis of the reviewed cases reaffirms the importance of linguistic geography in maintaining linguistic diversity and strengthening regional identities. This study underscores the role of geosociolinguistics as a theoretical and methodological framework capable of articulating linguistic, social, and territorial phenomena, emphasizing the need for future investigations that include new contexts and expand the understanding of linguistic diversity in Brazilian Portuguese.