Peter Trudgill and Sociolinguistic Theories of Language and Identity

Who was Peter Trudgill?

A sociolinguist known for his research on the relationship between social class and regional dialect.

What was the focus of Trudgill's 1974 Norwich Study?

To investigate if social class influenced the use of specific linguistic variables, particularly the pronunciation of words ending in -ing.

What linguistic variable did Trudgill examine in his Norwich Study?

The pronunciation of words ending in -ing, specifically the standard [ŋ] and the non-standard [n].

What key finding emerged from Trudgill's Norwich Study?

There was a direct correlation between social class and the use of the non-standard variant; lower social classes used 'walkin'' more frequently.

What are the two types of prestige identified by Trudgill?

Overt Prestige and Covert Prestige.

Define Overt Prestige.

Seeking status by using the 'Standard' or 'Correct' form of language, typically associated with women and the middle class.

Define Covert Prestige.

Seeking status by using non-standard forms to show 'toughness,' 'authenticity,' or local loyalty, often associated with men and the working class.

What is Dialect Levelling?

The process where distinct regional features disappear and are replaced by a more uniform dialect due to increased mobility and social mixing.

What is Hierarchical Diffusion in linguistics?

A process where linguistic features jump from one large city to another, skipping rural areas in between.

What is Contagious Diffusion in linguistics?

A process where linguistic features spread like a wave from a center point to surrounding areas.

What does Trudgill argue about accents?

Accents are complex, rule-governed systems that serve a vital social function in signaling identity and belonging.

What is Multicultural London English (MLE)?

A dynamic, multi-ethnic speech style emerging in inner-city London, moving away from traditional Cockney.

Who coined the term 'Multicultural London English'?

Paul Kerswill.

What did Jenny Cheshire focus on in her research on MLE?

The grammatical innovations of MLE, including the use of the new pronoun 'man'.

What did Sue Fox discover about MLE?

She found that the traditional London accent shifted as immigrant communities integrated, particularly those of Bangladeshi heritage.

What is the 'feature pool' in MLE?

A concept where speakers select from various languages to create a new hybrid grammar.

What did Rob Drummond contribute to the study of MLE?

He extended research outside London, coining the terms Multicultural British English (MBE) and Multicultural Urban British English (MUBE).

What is the focus of Christian Ilbury's research?

The intersection of digital culture and language variation, particularly how MLE is stylized and performed online.

What is the 'Roadman' persona in MLE?

A character associated with specific linguistic features and aesthetic tropes, often performed in digital spaces.

What did Ilbury's study on TikTok reveal about MLE?

MLE features are used in digital performances and have become recognized as a specific social style.

How is MLE spreading across the UK according to Ilbury's research?

Through social networks, particularly among Black and Asian users, moving from London to other diverse urban centers.

What is the significance of social networks in the use of MLE?

The strength of a person's multi-ethnic friendship group is the best predictor of their use of MLE, regardless of their own race.

What does Trudgill say about language's role in society?

Language is a crucial means of establishing and maintaining social relationships.

What are the implications of dialect levelling?

It leads to a more uniform dialect, often diminishing distinct regional features.

What is the relationship between social class and dialect according to Trudgill?

Social class influences the use of linguistic variables, with lower classes more likely to use non-standard forms.

What did Eivind Torgersen study in relation to MLE?

He documented specific vowel shifts that define MLE.

What does the term 'enregistered' mean in the context of MLE?

It refers to how MLE has become recognized as a specific social style that can be performed.

What is the primary focus of digital sociolinguistics?

How platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp influence language change.

What does 'enregisterment' refer to in sociolinguistics?

How specific sounds and words become 'labels' for social identities.

What is 'accent bias'?

Investigating how non-standard accents impact social mobility and professional perceptions.

What is the 'post-digital perspective' in language study?

The idea that we should study language assuming that digital and physical worlds are now inseparable.

Who conducted a significant study on social networks in Belfast?

Lesley Milroy in the late 1970s.

What was the core concept of Milroy's Belfast study?

Social networks and their influence on dialect persistence.

What are closed (dense) networks?

Social networks where everyone knows everyone else, enforcing local dialect use.

What are open (loose) networks?

Social networks where individuals know many people, but those people don't necessarily know each other.

What methodology did Milroy use in her Belfast study?

She lived within communities and observed natural speech rather than conducting formal interviews.

What correlation did Milroy find regarding network strength and dialect use?

The higher the network score, the more frequently non-standard local forms were used.

What was a key finding about gender in Milroy's study?

In the Clonard community, women had denser networks and used more non-standard forms than men.

What does Rob Drummond's research focus on?

Multicultural Manchester English (MME) and its relationship with identity and urban life.

What is the significance of the 'roadman' style in Drummond's research?

It reflects a blend of influences from Caribbean, South Asian, and African languages in urban dialects.

What linguistic feature is characterized by 'TH-stopping'?

Pronouncing 'the' as 'de' or 'thing' as 'ting'.

What does vowel fronting refer to in MME?

The shift in the way 'u' sounds in words like 'goose' or 'food'.

What is the 'Manc' 'a' in Drummond's findings?

The short 'a' in words like 'glass' or 'bath', which remains Northern.

What was Drummond's major finding regarding identity and heritage?

Identity, rather than ethnicity, is the primary driver of how teenagers use language.

What does bidialectalism mean in the context of Drummond's research?

The ability to switch between MME and a more standard Manchester accent depending on the audience.

How does Drummond view Multicultural Manchester English (MME)?

As a sophisticated, rule-governed dialect that reflects local roots and multicultural influences.

What is the significance of the term 'raciolinguistic enregisterment'?

It signals how language and race intersect in the construction of social identities.

What does Milroy's study suggest about non-standard English?

It acts as a badge of belonging to a community rather than a sign of being uneducated.

What is the role of Snapchat Stories in the 'Gully' group research?

They are used to project a 'Road' cultural aesthetic and network physical social reality into the digital world.

What is the relationship between social connection and speech patterns according to Milroy?

Speech patterns are driven by social connection, not just biological gender.

What does the term 'network enforcement mechanisms' refer to?

The pressure within closed networks to use local non-standard dialects.

How did Milroy's findings challenge previous research on dialects?

By emphasizing the importance of social networks over social class in dialect persistence.

What cultural aspect does Drummond's research highlight?

The blending of global urban influences with local Northern pride in language use.