Sociophonology AJ22066 Pronunciation Varieties of English Kristina Halfarová 3 December 2014 Sociolinguistics: studies the relationship between language use and social structure (i.e. how we speak in various social contexts – to our boss, to our family, or to strangers) Variation in speech is a function of : (a) region (b) social group (c) situation The speech forms of specific groups are characterized by generalized sound features with distinctive patterns. Accent varieties are described as variation from the standard variety of accent. 1 Introduction Sociophonology: differences of pronounciation which are socially significant; these differences are shared by groups of speakers 18th century: concern with the „correct“ pronunciation of words 20th century: new medium of radio and TV (diffusion of the RP) since 1926: term Recieved Pronunciation (RP) 2 Accent standardization: The case of RP 19th century: system of boarding schools (public schools): standardized English Accent became prestigious (Public School Pronuciation) Unmarked mainstream variety asscociated with BBC newsreaders, doctors, teachers Marked members of the royal family, aristocracy, university teachers at Cambridge and Oxford Until recently, acquisition of marked RP was desirable and was worth investing in very expensive forms of education (public schools like Eton, Harrow) BUT beyond the groups of its own speakers, it could sound even ridiculous! Educated speakers usually use entirely standard form of English but with an accent which is not RP, it is rather something between RP and the local accents. Here you can find an interesting article about the Queen‘s English: Queen‘s speech ‚less posh‘ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1080228.stm 3 Two forms of RP Markings= indicators of special social privilege This classic pyramid diagram illustrates why is RP described as “non-regional” accent. John Wells’s Accents of English Hyperlect: socially privileged marked RP accent (the “posh”) Paralect: variety very close to RP but retains some nonstandard features 4 The accent continuum: spectrum of linguistic variation Acrolect = high prestige, standard variety Basilect = the broadest form of popular speech Mesolect = the speech of majority of the population It is difficult to determine the distinctive features of “standard”. Some claim that there is no standard English accent and that standard English can be spoken with any accent. Moreover, RP is changing. But RP has an enormous influence as a model and we can‘t deny the existence of the “standard” version just because it is difficult to define. 5 Implications of the concept of standard accent USA: standard American English Pronunciation is described as “General American”. Accents of certain minority groups (Hispanics, African-Americans) are often basis of negative evaluations. We distinguish between • indicators: little social significance • markers: social significance • stereotypes: popular and conscious but imprecise general characterizations (also about whole languages: German is ugly, French beautiful) Stereotypes do not always agree across cultures. 6 The social significance of variation All differences carry the potential for positive or negative evaluations A hierarchy of attitudes to accents RP İ educated forms of Scottish English; corresponding accents of Ireland and Wales İ English provincial accents İ urban lower-class sociolects RP speakers are associated with features like intelligence, leadership, self-confidence, wealth and ambition. Nonstandard speakers are associated with qualities like friendliness, kindheartedness, integrity and humor. 6 The social significance of variation: Britain Process of accent levelling because of the wide spread of education and the influence of media. Even though, large numbers of people still cling to accents. Why? 7 Contemporary accent variation Different sounds encode value systems. The accent and dialect involves the value system we identify with. Many speakers use accent features to signal a regional identity. Standard accents are linked with a status as a function of power. Nonstandard ones with solidarity with a local community or with a low social class. Nonstandard forms 1 local or regional particularism 1 rejection of a high regard for education 1 serve as badge among adolescents, language includes attitudes We see here a strength of alternative value-system, where the feeling of community is more important than mainstream society. Standard forms 3 values of the mainstream of society 3 standard forms are percieved as only approprite vehicles for education. Congruence: Agreement of lexical, grammatical and phonological features. It is theoretically possible to speak standard English with any accent but in practice it is never spoken in the most basilectal accents. 8 “Educatedness” and its alternatives Pygmalion: a Cockney flower-girl speaks posh accent but uses common vocabulary. Her speach is not congruent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxwfZdNrJP8 Accomodation theory explains how speakers adjust their speech in relation to the speech of their interlocutors: 1) convergence – we level out our dialect to identify with the specific community 2) divergence – we keep distance Did you know? Speakers of standard varieties are suspected of mockery when they attempt to use nonstandard spoken forms. Watch this video of British politician George Osborne talking to the working man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1mbxFsp2x0 Factors which determine our choice of register are: • age • sex • socioeconomic status • regional background • intimace between the speakers • formality of the situation 9 Sociosituational variation = Variation dependent on the setting and the relationship between the speakers A standard accent can influence your credibility or success in a job interview... Differences in accent might be even more influential than in grammar or lexis, because they are important in every social encounter. Our range of accent flexibility is almost complete by age 17, but many people have ability to adapt their accents at much later ages! Why people change the way they speak? Find out more here. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-22183566 Some people change accents to create a particular public image: 2 Margaret Thatcher (from Lincolnshire to upper-class accent) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28_0gXLKLbk 2 Tony Blair: “linguistic chameleon” 2 David Beckham: Has he started talking posh? Some people decide to keep their native accents: Michael Caine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBjp1oEZcwU The Telegraph published an article about celebrities who dropped their accents. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/11165230/It-is-ok-to-change-your-accent-to-get-a-job-Here-are-nine-celebrities-who-dropped-theirs.html Obviously, the accent we use says a lot about us but we are free to adapt it. 10 Areas of influence HONEY, JOHN. “Sociophonology.” The Handbook of Sociolinguistics. Coulmas, Florian (ed.). Blackwell Publishing, 1998. Blackwell Reference Online. 28 December 2007 Sources Thank you for your attention!