Attitudes Towards Varities Of English

What attitudes does language induce

People don’t just hear language — they hear identity.

When someone speaks:

• with a broad Aussie accent

• with Aboriginal English features

• with an ethnolect

• with “non-standard” grammar

listeners often make assumptions about:

• intelligence

• education level

• wealth

• trustworthiness

• background

So judgments about language = judgments about people and social groups.

How can language be a disadvantage

There is subconcious or conscious discrimination upon how people speak

Non-standard (not SAE) forms of English can be viewed as substandard, not non-standard

What is approval of non-standard varieties based on

If a culture/ the people speaking that language is respected - their language is accepted

If the culture/people are viewed negatively - their language is also viewed negatively

Language is a strong basis of discrimination

Value vs prestige of non-standard varieties

Non-standard varieties

Examples: Aboriginal English, ethnolects, Broad Australian English
They often:

• lack overt prestige

• are judged unfairly

• are excluded from formal domains

BUT linguistically they:
✔ follow consistent grammar rules
✔ communicate meaning just as effectively
✔ express identity, culture, and belonging

That means they have equal linguistic value, even if society doesn’t reward them equally - doesn’t have overt prestige

Overt Norms

Language varieties or linguistic features/patterns/behaviors which is valued by culturally dominant group

Has prescriptivist attitudes

Public language, expectations of register, diplomacy and language use

Adherence to appropriate politeness strategies

How does Overt Norms Support Prescriptivism

Because overt norms are about socially approved rules, they naturally support the idea that:

✔ Some forms are correct
❌ Others are incorrect

Overt Prestige

• social value gained from speaking standard; due to its close association with education, authority and intelligence. Valued in media, politics and bureaucracy.

  • Aids with developing respect or upholding reputation in society - how to act in society

Covert Norms

• Linguistic features/behaviours not valued by mainstream society (not necessarily standard), but by specific communities and groups.

• May entail jargon/slang to specific group.

• Non-standard varieties such as particular ethnolects or AAEs.

• Can enable individuals to align with a particular group and reap its benefits associated. - more recognition/authority within the group

Is not only cultural, but also can also be within another group - e.g. gaming (using specific terminology for in-group membership)

Covert Prestige

• Social value attached to linguistic forms unique to a particular community.

• Belonging, in-group membership possible through covert prestige.

• Can be used as a mode of resistance against mainstream norms.

Prescriptivist Attitudes

• Language has fixed and ‘correct’ (standard) rules that must be followed.

• Resistant to language change

• SAE has greater value and prestige (overt prestige) than other varieties;

• Non-standard English is seen as ‘morally wrong’ and ‘incorrect’.

• Overlooks roles of non-standard varieties as enabling cultural identity expression and in-group membership - doesn’t consider the cultural and identity oriented side of things

Descriptivist Attitudes

• Observes how language is actually used in real contexts.

• Does not make judgements based on ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ language use.

• It believes language should be adapted to context; SAE isn't the best choice for every context.

• Supports language change and diversity - argues this is natural and expected

• Acknowledges that SAE is more prestigious but not more valuable than non-standard forms of AE.

• Views AAEs, Ethnolects are valuable, and an epitome of cultural identity and expression, and representing Australia’s cultural diversity. - cultural identity refuses to acknolwedge this

Regional Variation

• Linguistic trends are more likely to start in the city; regional communities may use more outdated forms of AE.

• Broad accent - more common in regional Australia

• Lower socio-economic areas more likely to use non-standard English - supports the fact that overt prestige is a sign of education and prestige. 

• As English is a relatively new language in Australia, there is not as much variation as in Britain or America. (lot of dialect differences in those countries - English has had a longer time to develop)

Code Switching - Unclear

Can also happen between ethnolects and even within the same variety

Can also be called as “style shifting”

• Reinforce shared cultural background

• Convey affection/emotion/intimacy in a certain language that english may not be able to express. Reinforces sense of belonging and close social bonds.

• Act of resistance: challenge overt norms, assert empowerment (by having more knowledge in that field that can give more power or authority), identity and belonging in community.