accent and dialect - terminology

Question 1

accent

Answer 1

• variation in pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region

Question 2

code switching

Answer 2

• when speakers who speak two or more different languages switch from one to the other, often in mid conversation
• can also be used to refer to switching between dialects of the same accent

Question 3

convergence

Answer 3

• when two accents or dialects stop begin different and become more similar

Question 4

covert prestige

Answer 4

• the less obvious or hidden prestige associated with the use of certain non-standard varieties of a language within particular social groups

Question 5

descriptivism.

Answer 5

• an approach to language study that focuses on how language is actually used

Question 6

dialect

Answer 6

• variation in words and grammatical structures associated with a particular geographical region

Question 7

dialect levelling

Answer 7

• the process by which language forms of different parts of the country converge and become more similar over time, with the loss of regional features and reduced diversity of language

Question 8

diphthong

Answer 8

• a vowel sounds where there is a noticeable sound change within the syllable
• also known as a long vowel e.g. /ai/ in eye

Question 9

divergence

Answer 9

• when the differences between two accents or dialects become increasingly different

Question 10

estuary english

Answer 10

• accent spreading outwards, along the thames, form London containing features of both RP and london speech

Question 11

eye dialect

Answer 11

• the deliberate misspellings to identify a speaker who is using a regional or non-standard form of english
• so called because we see rather than hear the difference

Question 12

heterophones

Answer 12

• words with the same spelling but a different meaning and sound

Question 13

homophones

Answer 13

• words with the same sound but a different meaning and spelling