Linguistic Studies for accents and dialects Flashcards
What is dialect leveling?
The reduction or elimination of marked differences between dialects over a period of time
(summary of studies in folder)
What are 3 studies that support dialect leveling?
Lesley Milroy 2002
Paul kerswill 2001
Trudgill 1974
Describe Lesley milroy 2002 theory
Looked at how social networks facilitate language change in different areas
-language varied less in closed networks (eg small town) than in open networks (eg big city) this is because open networks have much less influence over eachother
-people in close knit communities used more non standard language
Describe Paul Kerswills theory 2001
Believes the reduction of rural employment and the move of people closer to cities had led to the reduction in regional variations.
-movement of people led to greater dialect contact and changes in social networks away from local ones
how can Paul kerswills theory also argue against dialect leveling?
Paul also some regional forms are surviving so would be wrong to assume all aspects of dialect are disappearing
Describe Trudgills study in 1974
-Studied standard pronunciation (walking) and nonstandard pronunciation (walkin)
-asked PPT how often they used the standard and nonstandard forms
-more nonstandard forms of pronunciation were used by lower classes (lower class missed off g)
-women were found to use more standard pronunciations (showing they care more about overt prestige- language correctness)
How could we criticize Trudgills study?
The PPT stated how often they used standard and nonstandard forms, social desirability bias may have occurred as the PPT wanted to be viewed favorably
What 3 theorists argued against dialect levelling?
Watkins 2008
David Rosewarne 1984
Labov
Describe Watkins’s 2008 theory
There was a ‘dialectical island’ meaning some regional dialects appear to be resisting levelling
Eg- ain’t instead of arent
Absence of adverbs saying ran quick instead of ran quickly
describe Rosewarnes 1984 theory
Discovered a new dialect in between RP and cockney called estuary English
-speakers using this are thought to be aiming for a classless profile avoiding being ‘posh’ yet also ‘working class’
Examples: ‘L dropping’ you alright becomes you awright
-dialects are being made all the time
Describe Labovs study
-interviewed ppl living in a vineyard
-In the vineyard fishermen lived there and they spoke in a stronger rural accent, but tourists began to buy land in this area
The younger citizens of the vineyard unconsciously started to adopt older, broader rural accents to rebel against the posh tourists and resist tourism in the area to show their loyalty to the vineyard
Conclude Labovs findings in the Vineyard in 1961
Labov found that language was related to social variabilities such as loyalty and language is important in group identification and the signalling of differences
What studies could you use to add to support your own opinion that dialects are leveling?
Giles’ matched theory and accommodation theory
-I believe dialects are leveling however I can see why some people continue to be judged on their accent which is shown in Giles’s theory….
What was Howard Giles interested in?
Interested if a person’s attitude to an accent was driven by the sounds of it or the speaker’s characteristics
Explain Howard Giles matched guise study in 1975
-researched perception of RP and Birmingham accents by 2 groups on 17-year-old
-PPT listen to the same speaker using a range of different accents and gave an opinion on each
-even though it was same speaker teens rated the RP speaker in higher terms of intelligence
How can we criticise the Howard Giles matched guise technique?
Giles used 17-year-olds in the study so they may be more susceptible to the idea of a posh accent and may be more respectful. if he asked adults he may have found different results
Explain Howard Giles accommodation theory 1973
Convergence: allows us to ‘accommodate’ the person we are talking to (making them feel appreciated and valued) eg- using other person’s slang or diluting our accent
Divergence: individuals change their language choices to become dissimilar to someone else
Describe the Gary Ives study…..finish this
-main reason language differs is because of slang
-The main reason their language
