Language and Social Class

Question 1

What is a posh and chavvy example?

Answer 1

Posh - Isn’t it
Chavvy - Innit

Posh - I beg your pardon
Chavvy - You what

Question 2

What is accent and dialect?

Answer 2

Accent - Pronunciation: RP - prestige accent, so London, Birmingham etc.
Dialect - Words and grammar - Standard English - prestige dialect.

Question 3

What is Ross’ U and Non-U language?

Answer 3

U - upper class
Non-U - Middle class
‘Shibboleths - Words that gave away that middle class were not higher class.
For example - Higher class say ‘Die’
Middle class thought they would say ‘Pass on’
Also, Higher class would say ‘What’ and Middle class would say ‘Pardon’

Question 4

What did Bernsteins theory say?

Answer 4

Restricted - Non-explicit, used around family. Assumes shared culture, background.
Elaborated - Explicit, does not assume anything.
Working class speakers could not use restricted code as moved around less. Middle class used by both.

Question 5

What was Trugills Norwich study?

Answer 5

Ng - velar nasal
N’ - G dropping

UPPER MIDDLE CLASS WORD LIST - 100%
LOWER CLASS - 28%

UPPER MIDDLE CLASS CASUAL - 29%
LOWER CLASS - 0%