Social Groups

Question 1

Petyt, H-dropping

Answer 1

Relationship between non-standard dialect and social class. Lower working class used H-drop in almost all instances. Upper middle class only omitted 1 in 10 times. Understanding social value used RP more.

Question 2

Trudgill, -ing -in’

Answer 2

Class based use of regional accents. The working class used nonstandard features more often. Context can affect language, non-standard used in informal and relaxed context.

Question 3

Chesire, Reading

Answer 3

Generally more non-standard forms in the rebellious groups who represent the working class. Both the good and rebellious groups used slang when interacting with peers so not a clear cut for social class.

Question 4

Halliday, Slang

Answer 4

Described as ‘anti-language’ due to covert prestige and links to deviant behaviour. Associated with the working class and people who hold little power.

Question 5

George Osborne, Code Switching

Answer 5

Politician making a speech downwardly converged his RP accent in order to seem more relatable to his audience. Many called him desperate.

Question 6

Penelope Eckhert, Jocks and Burnout

Answer 6

Jocks tended to respect authoritative figures and get involved in school life also used more standard forms of language. However, burnouts didn’t show respect or get involved in activities also used non-standard forms of language.

Question 7

Swales, Communities

Answer 7

Discourse community that shares the same goals and also specific language to communicate. Outside of the community may not know or understand this discourse, may feel alienated.

Question 8

Hewitt, Ethnic Connection

Answer 8

Relations between (Age 13-17) black and white adolescents in South London. Strong link between language use and ethnic identity for 2nd British-born generation.

Question 9

Kerswill, MLE

Answer 9

MLE came from East London, rife with social deprivation. Could be a reaction to feelings of discrimination and is a way of establishing a social identity and diverging from those with better opportunities.

Question 10

Leap, Gay Language

Answer 10

Said it was structured for cooperation and secrecy, talking to members of the gay community and those outside it.

Question 11

Stanley, Homosexual Slang

Answer 11

Homosexual slang varies depending on gender. Said most research deemed homosexual slang to just gay men and excluded and oppressed lesbians and other members.