Questions and Answers
What factors do linguistic researchers typically use to identify social class?
As one moves higher up the social class scale, regional differences in language become fewer.
True
What does RP stand for?
Received Pronunciation
What did Peter Trudgill find regarding the pronunciation of 'g' in 'fishing' and 'singing'?
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What phoneme did Petyt find was dropped more often by lower-class speakers?
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Trudgill found that pronunciation of the 'ing' ending increased with the formality of the situation.
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What non-standard verb construction was more common in the working classes according to Trudgill?
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What did Lesley Milroy find about language use in close-knit communities?
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Deprivation theories focus on how working class children are disadvantaged by their _____ .
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What is the focus of difference theories in the context of language and social class?
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What two styles of language did Bernstein identify?
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Labov supported Bernstein's claim that the elaborated code is necessary for manipulating abstract concepts.
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According to some researchers, what influences the use of standard and non-standard dialect?
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Study Notes
Identifying Social Class
- Social class is identified through a combination of factors such as occupation, education level, income, place of residence, housing type, and parents' occupations.
The Impact of Social Class on Language
- Movement up the social class scale typically results in fewer regional dialect differences.
- Higher social class is associated with increased likelihood of using Standard English and Received Pronunciation (RP) accent.
RP Accent
- Received Pronunciation (RP) is the accent linked to upper-class speakers.
- Only about 3% of the population is estimated to speak with an RP accent.
Trudgill's Research in Norwich
- Peter Trudgill's study in 1983 found that lower social class respondents were more prone to dropping the 'g' sound in words like "fishing" and "singing."
Petyt's Findings
- Petyt's research in Bradford indicated a strong correlation between the omission of 'h' sounds at the beginning of words and social class.
- Dropping the "h" phoneme occurred 93% of the time among lower classes, compared to just 12% in higher classes.
Pronunciation and Formality
- Trudgill observed that pronunciation of the 'ing' ending improved with the formality of the context across all social classes.
- This indicates awareness of speech and a tendency to adopt prestigious speech in formal situations.
Non-Standard Dialect Features
- Non-standard verb forms like 'she go' or 'he know' are more frequent among working-class speakers.
- Middle-class speakers tend to use Standard English forms 'she goes' and 'he knows.'
Lesley Milroy's Research
- Milroy's observations in dense multiplex networks showed that individuals in tight-knit communities use vernacular forms more frequently than those in loose networks.
Educational Achievement and Social Class
- The connection between language and social class has led researchers to study its role in educational achievement, focusing on Deprivation and Difference theories.
Deprivation Theories
- Emphasize that working-class children face linguistic disadvantages that hinder educational success.
Difference Theories
- Attribute educational challenges of working-class children to an educational system that is unsympathetic to their cultural and linguistic background.
Bernstein on Language Codes
- Bernstein identified two language styles: restricted code and elaborated code.
- He argued that one's social group influences language usage.
Labov's Critique of Bernstein
- Labov challenged Bernstein's assertion by highlighting a lower-class black boy who effectively manipulated language to discuss complex topics, suggesting that abstract thinking can occur without the elaborated code.
Revisiting the Influence of Social Class
- Research suggests that social class affects the use of standard versus non-standard dialects, pronunciation, vocabulary, and speech style.
- Class is recognized as one of many factors impacting language use.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationship between social class and language. This quiz delves into how occupation, education, and income influence language use, accents, and regional dialects, highlighting research from experts like Trudgill and Petyt. Test your understanding of these key concepts and their implications on communication.
