Accent and Dialect: Deeper knowledge Flashcards
Some ideas and terms for accent and dialect. Some of these are covered in class and others are new terms to help deepen your knowledge.
What is the difference between accent and dialect?
Accent refers to pronunciation, while dialect includes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation specific to a region or group.
Define Received Pronunciation (RP).
RP is a prestigious accent in England, often associated with the upper class and standard English.
What is a regional dialect?
A form of language specific to a particular geographical area, differing in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
What is meant by Estuary English?
A mix of RP and regional accents, originating around the Thames Estuary.
Define sociolect.
A language variation associated with a specific social group.
Explain Giles’ Accommodation Theory.
Speakers adjust their language to either converge (reduce social distance) or diverge (emphasize differences).
What is Labov’s Martha’s Vineyard study about?
It showed how locals used a specific accent to signal identity and distance themselves from tourists.
Define language prestige.
The social value or status given to a particular language variety.
What is a vernacular dialect?
A non-standard form of speech associated with a particular community.
Explain Trudgill’s findings about accent and identity.
Trudgill found that regional accents were often retained to signal local identity and social belonging.
What is multicultural London English (MLE)?
A sociolect of English emerging from diverse communities in London, blending elements from various languages.
How did BBC English influence perceptions of accent?
It promoted RP as the standard for ‘clear and professional’ speech.
How does accent affect perceptions of intelligence?
RP is often associated with intelligence and authority, while regional accents may carry stereotypes.
What is linguistic discrimination?
Prejudice based on someone’s accent or dialect.
How do accents influence employability?
Standard accents are often preferred in professional contexts, potentially disadvantaging regional speakers.
What is a covert prestige?
The status gained from using a non-standard form of language to signal group membership.
How does accent reflect cultural identity?
Accents often connect individuals to specific regions, communities, or ethnic groups.
What is a key phonological feature of Cockney?
The glottal stop, replacing ‘t’ sounds (e.g., ‘bottle’ becomes ‘bo’le’).
Give an example of dialectal grammar variation.
Using ‘I were’ instead of ‘I was’ in Northern English dialects.
What is rhoticity, and where is it found?
Pronouncing ‘r’ in words like ‘car’; common in American English and some British regions like the South West.
Provide an example of a regional vocabulary difference.
‘Bread roll’ (Standard English) vs. ‘bap’ (Northern England) or ‘cob’ (Midlands).
What is a distinctive feature of Scouse?
High rising intonation and unique vowel sounds.
What is a glottal stop, and which accents commonly use it?
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.
What is a voiced phoneme? Give an example.
A voiced phoneme is produced when the vocal cords vibrate. For example, /b/ in ‘bat’ is voiced, while /p/ in ‘pat’ is voiceless.
What is th-fronting, and in which accents does it occur?
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).
Explain the difference between monophthongs and diphthongs. Provide examples.
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’).
What is non-rhoticity, and where is it commonly found?
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.
What are plosives? List the English plosive sounds.
Plosives are consonant sounds produced by stopping airflow and then releasing it. English plosives include /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, and /g/.
What is the difference between voiced and voiceless plosives? Give examples.
Voiced plosives involve vocal cord vibration (e.g., /b/, /d/, /g/), while voiceless plosives do not (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/).
What are fricatives? List the English fricative sounds.
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/.
Provide an example of how a fricative and a plosive differ in articulation.
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.
What is aspiration in plosives, and which sounds are typically aspirated in English?
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’).
