Phonology theories

Question 1

Accommodation theory -Howard Giles

Answer 1

H.G was interested in why we adapt the way we speak to accommodate other people. Occurring through convergence and divergence.

Question 2

Covert and Overt Prestige
Peter Trudgill

Answer 2

P.T was interested in how we speak depending on other people.
Covert: the ‘cool’ status of speaking in a non-standard way (mostly men)
Overt: the kudos of speaking a more standard variety (mostly women)

Question 3

Style shifting -
William Labov

Answer 3

Speech style: a way of speaking that is either formal/careful or informal/ casual
Changing from one to the other is called ‘style-shifting’.

Question 4

Age theories -
Arthur Holmes

Answer 4

When a linguistic variety is not part of the standard language, its usage tends to peak during adolescence (15-17 years old), “when peer pressure not to conform to society’s norms is greatest”