English language: varieties Flashcards
What theory did Henri Tajfel’s come up with?
social identity theory
Who came up with the social identity theory?
Henri Tajfel’s
Tafel proposed that when we put people into groups and categories we tend to exaggerate:
- the similarities between things in the same group
- the differences between groups
what will group members of an in-group do?
find negative aspects of an out-group to enhance their self-image
Example of posh language
- ‘I beg your pardon’
( Received Pronunciation )
Example of ‘chavvy’ language
‘you what’
( regional accent)
what is the definition of prestige?
type of language that carries positive connotations
What is the definition of stigmatised?
carries negative connotations
we also judge people who use it badly
What determines your class?
- Household income
- Whether you own a property or rent it
- Whether you have savings
- People you socialise with/ know socially
- Cultural activities ( horse riding-upper class)
What are the 3 prestige accents?
- accent
- received pronunciation
- regional accents
what is the definition of ‘accent’?
the sounds that people make
what is the received pronunciation?
English has on non-regional accent (region-less) associated with the highest social class rather than a region
the highest class in society with the accent whether they live in london, newcastle, birmingham
what is regional accents?
almost all other accents are classed as ‘regional’ and are associated with liverpool and geordie languages(newcastle)
What are the 3 prestige dialects?
- dialect
- standard English
- regional dialects
what is dialect?
are the words and grammar that people use
what is standard English?
English has one non-regional dialect, and it is called standard english
it is prestige and most reasonable educated British English speakers use it
Examples of where you would see standard english
text books, news reporting and in education
what is regional dialect?
almost all other dialects ‘regional’
they are associated with a specific area in a country
what is overt prestige?
(obvious)
associated with rich, powerful, educated and successful people
brings a positive social image
what social image does an overt prestige person bring?
positive social image
what is covert prestige?
(non-obvious)
use non-prestige forms in order to appear tough or display pride or even loyalty to ones class/home
what is covert stigma?
less masculine
What is overt stigma?
Poverty, simplicity, uneducated, subservient, unreliability
What are the 2 middle class varieties?
- Overt prestige
- Covert stigma