Questions: Men tend to be the linguistic innovators. That is, they tend to be the more leaders of linguistic change. True False

The answer is False: Men tend to be the linguistic innovators. That is, they tend to be the more leaders of linguistic change.

Explanation:

1. Linguistic Innovation: Research in sociolinguistics often shows that women are more frequently the leaders in linguistic change. This is observed in various studies where women are seen to adopt and spread new linguistic forms more rapidly than men.

2. Social Networks: Women often have more extensive social networks and engage in more social interactions, which can facilitate the spread of linguistic innovations.

3. Cultural and Social Factors: In many societies, women are more attuned to social norms and changes, which can make them more likely to adopt new linguistic trends as a way to align with social expectations or to signal social identity.

4. Empirical Studies: Numerous empirical studies, such as those by sociolinguists like William Labov, have documented cases where women lead in the adoption of new linguistic forms, such as changes in pronunciation or the use of new vocabulary.

Therefore, the statement that men tend to be the linguistic innovators is generally considered false based on sociolinguistic research.