Language and Class Flashcards
1
Q
What is the difference between covert and overt prestige?
A
- Covert is lower class (e.g. carrying a knife)
- Overt is more socially acceptable (e.g. getting a good job)
2
Q
What is the difference between prescriptivists and descriptivists?
A
- Prescriptivists believe there there is right and wrong language (based on standard English and Received Pronunciation)
- Descriptivists (us) try to describe what language is actually like
3
Q
What did Alan Ross’ U and Non U study say about language?
A
- U = upper class, Non U = middle class
- middle class speakers tried to sound like upper class
- giveaways were shibboleths
- e.g.: Preserve instead of jam, pardon instead of what
4
Q
What did Bernstein say about the language differences between the classes?
A
- Both middle class and working class used restricted code (context based + shared knowledge)
- e.g zapper not remote control
- Only middle class had access to elaborate code which was used by teachers in tests and textbooks
- e.g. remote control
5
Q
What did Trudgill find in his Norwich Study?
A
- Norwich was a g dropping city in a g dropping county
- use of velar nasal /ŋ/ “ng” increased in both classes (0 -> ⅓, ⅓ - 100%) as a result of style
- higher usage in higher class
6
Q
What is Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory?
A
- We exaggerate the similarities within the same group
- We exaggerate the differences between groups