Accent and Dialect

Question 1

What is the difference between accent and dialect?

Answer 1

Accent refers to pronunciation, while dialect includes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation specific to a region or group.

Question 2

Define Received Pronunciation (RP).

Answer 2

RP is a prestigious accent in England, often associated with the upper class and standard English.

Question 3

What is a regional dialect?

Answer 3

A form of language specific to a particular geographical area, differing in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Question 4

What is meant by Estuary English?

Answer 4

A mix of RP and regional accents, originating around the Thames Estuary.

Question 5

Define sociolect.

Answer 5

A language variation associated with a specific social group.

Question 6

Explain Giles’ Accommodation Theory.

Answer 6

Speakers adjust their language to either converge (reduce social distance) or diverge (emphasize differences).

Question 7

What is Labov’s Martha’s Vineyard study about?

Answer 7

It showed how locals used a specific accent to signal identity and distance themselves from tourists.

Question 8

Define language prestige.

Answer 8

The social value or status given to a particular language variety.

Question 9

What is a vernacular dialect?

Answer 9

A non-standard form of speech associated with a particular community.

Question 10

Explain Trudgill’s findings about accent and identity.

Answer 10

Trudgill found that regional accents were often retained to signal local identity and social belonging.

Question 11

What is multicultural London English (MLE)?

Answer 11

A sociolect of English emerging from diverse communities in London, blending elements from various languages.

Question 12

How did BBC English influence perceptions of accent?

Answer 12

It promoted RP as the standard for ‘clear and professional’ speech.

Question 13

How does accent affect perceptions of intelligence?

Answer 13

RP is often associated with intelligence and authority, while regional accents may carry stereotypes.

Question 14

What is linguistic discrimination?

Answer 14

Prejudice based on someone’s accent or dialect.

Question 15

How do accents influence employability?

Answer 15

Standard accents are often preferred in professional contexts, potentially disadvantaging regional speakers.

Question 16

What is a covert prestige?

Answer 16

The status gained from using a non-standard form of language to signal group membership.

Question 17

How does accent reflect cultural identity?

Answer 17

Accents often connect individuals to specific regions, communities, or ethnic groups.

Question 18

What is a key phonological feature of Cockney?

Answer 18

The glottal stop, replacing ‘t’ sounds (e.g., ‘bottle’ becomes ‘bo’le’).

Question 19

Give an example of dialectal grammar variation.

Answer 19

Using ‘I were’ instead of ‘I was’ in Northern English dialects.

Question 20

What is rhoticity, and where is it found?

Answer 20

Pronouncing ‘r’ in words like ‘car’; common in American English and some British regions like the South West.

Question 21

Provide an example of a regional vocabulary difference.

Answer 21

‘Bread roll’ (Standard English) vs. ‘bap’ (Northern England) or ‘cob’ (Midlands).

Question 22

What is a distinctive feature of Scouse?

Answer 22

High rising intonation and unique vowel sounds.

Question 23

What is a glottal stop, and which accents commonly use it?

Answer 23

A glottal stop is a sound produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal cords, often replacing ‘t’ in words like ‘butter’ (pronounced ‘bu’er’). It is common in Cockney and Estuary English.

Question 24

What is a voiced phoneme? Give an example.

Answer 24

A voiced phoneme is produced when the vocal cords vibrate. For example, /b/ in ‘bat’ is voiced, while /p/ in ‘pat’ is voiceless.

Question 25

What is th-fronting, and in which accents does it occur?

Answer 25

Th-fronting replaces /θ/ (as in ‘think’) with /f/ (making it ‘fink’) or /ð/ (as in ‘this’) with /v/. It is common in Cockney, Estuary English, and Multicultural London English (MLE).

Question 26

Explain the difference between monophthongs and diphthongs. Provide examples.

Answer 26

Monophthongs are single vowel sounds (e.g., /iː/ in ‘see’), while diphthongs are vowel sounds that glide between two positions (e.g., /aɪ/ in ‘eye’).

Question 27

What is non-rhoticity, and where is it commonly found?

Answer 27

Non-rhoticity is the omission of the /r/ sound at the end of words or before consonants (e.g., ‘car’ pronounced as ‘cah’). It is common in accents like RP and Cockney.

Question 28

What are plosives? List the English plosive sounds.

Answer 28

Plosives are consonant sounds produced by stopping airflow and then releasing it. English plosives include /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, and /g/.

Question 29

What is the difference between voiced and voiceless plosives? Give examples.

Answer 29

Voiced plosives involve vocal cord vibration (e.g., /b/, /d/, /g/), while voiceless plosives do not (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/).

Question 30

What are fricatives? List the English fricative sounds.

Answer 30

Fricatives are consonant sounds made by forcing air through a narrow constriction, creating friction. English fricatives include /f/, /v/, /θ/, /ð/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /h/.

Question 31

Provide an example of how a fricative and a plosive differ in articulation.

Answer 31

The /f/ sound (fricative) is made by forcing air through the upper teeth and lower lip, while the /p/ sound (plosive) involves a complete stoppage of airflow at the lips, followed by a release.

Question 32

What is aspiration in plosives, and which sounds are typically aspirated in English?

Answer 32

Aspiration is the burst of air following the release of a voiceless plosive. In English, /p/, /t/, and /k/ are typically aspirated when they occur at the start of stressed syllables (e.g., ‘pin’).