Language variation - Regional and ethnic variation in accent and dialect

Yorkshire accent and dialect features

H - dropping, Th fronting, definite article reduction

RP features

Long vowels, clear h pronunciation, No th fronting

SE features

Standard negatives, Standard Past tense, Standard negatives

Geordie accent and dialect features

T - glottalisation, Specific lexis, Monophthong

MLE accent and dialect features

Th fronting, Th dropping, dem as a plural marker, Word definition and conversational style associated with Afro- Caribbean

Accent

Pronunciation features that indicate social group or region

Dialect

Lexical, grammatical and phonological features that vary be region/social group

Standard English attitudes

Education, Prestige, Formality, Nationwide acceptance

RP attitudes

Upper class, education, BBC English, Snobbish, Unfriendly

Geordie context

Strong historical isolation, little dialect levelling due to pride, media figures reinforce identity

Geordie attitudes

Friendly, trustworthy, less educated

Geordie media representation

TV Byker Grove, Friendly/funny, Less educated

Yorkshire context

Rural history preserves dialect grammar, Industrial times mix rural and urban features, Social class shapes pronunciation

Yorkshire attitudes

Honest, stereotyped as old fashioned

Yorkshire media representation

TV shows like Emmerdale, Hardworking, Unpolished

MLE context

Caribbean and African linguistic contact, Youth driven, Grime/Drill (TikTok), Spreading nationwide

Overt prestige

Using SE/RP to gain status in wider society

Covert prestige

Non standard forms to gain status within a group

MLE attitudes

Symbol of urban street culture, Multiethnic, Covert prestige. Negatively stereotyped by the media

MLE media representation

How would you analyse a speaker in a text?

Note phonology + grammar , evaluate identity , link to media stereotypes, mention prestige / covert prestige, compare to SE/RP for contrast.