Language Diversity

Question 1

Sociolinguist Joanna Thornborrow

Answer 1

“One of the most fundamental ways we have of establishing our identity, and of shaping other people’s views of who we are, is through our use of language”

Question 2

Misconception about accents - Jane Setter

Answer 2

•They are always regionally based
•They are ‘low’ or substandard’ varities
•They are ‘rustic’ varieties (‘r’)
•Old forms are dying out
•They aren’t codified (no rules)

Question 3

Howard Giles’ Accommodation theory

Answer 3

•people try to emphasise or minimise the social difference between whom they interact with
•Convergence: you minimise your accent or dialect to seem more similar to the conversation partner
Divergence: you emphasise language features to make sound nothingvlike the conversational partner.