Accent and Dialect Flashcards
Who is the theorist behind Martha’s Vineyard + what year?
William Labov 1963
What was the focus of the study of Martha’s Vineyard?
Dipthongs [aw] and [ay] (as in mouse and mice)
What was found in the Martha’s Vineyard study?
It was noted that among the younger (31-45 years) speakers a movement seemed to be taking place away from the pronunciations associated with the standard New England norms, and towards a pronunciation associated with conservative and characteristically Vineyard speakers, notably the Chilmark fishermen
Why did people change the way they speak in Martha’s Vineyard?
The heaviest users did this seemingly subconsciously, in order to establish themselves as an independent social group with superior status to the despised summer visitors.
What is convergence?
Occurs when we move our speech closer to that of the other person
What is downward convergence?
RP becoming more regional
What is upward convergence?
Regional becoming more like RP
What is mutual convergence?
Both participants converge towards each other
What is divergence?
Occurs when people’s speech styles move further apart
What is covert prestige?
Using a non-standard variety of dialect on purpose, to identify with a particular group
What is overt prestige?
Using a more standard form of dialect than you normally would, due to a desire to be respected
What is social stratification?
Any hierarchical organising and ordering of groups within a society
Who is the theorist behind the social stratification theory?
William Labov
