The Southern Accent and Bad English_ A Comparative Perceptual S

Thesis Overview

This thesis by Dean Hayes focuses on the perception of Southern American English (SAE), examining its linguistic features and their association with identity among Southern and non-Southern participants.

Key Areas of Study

  • Southern Linguistic Features: Investigates phonetic and grammatical features specific to Southern American English.

  • Perceptual Study: Compares perceptions of SAE between two groups—Southern speakers and non-Southern speakers.

  • Methodology: Utilizes sociolinguistic interviews and performance-based imitations to gather data on language attitudes.

Southern Group Perceptions

The Southern participants distinguish between nonstandard pronunciation (termed as "Southern accent") and nonstandard grammar (often termed as "bad English"). This distinction leads to generally positive associations with the accent (viewed as "laid-back" and polite) and negative associations with the grammatical features (seen as indicative of lower education).

Positive Associations with the Accent

  • Laid-back demeanor

  • Politeness and humility

  • Emphasized sociability, often linked to a slower pace of life

Negative Associations with Grammar

  • Viewed as markers of uneducation and lack of intelligence

  • Includes double negatives, and constructions like "ain't."

Non-Southern Group Perceptions

Conversely, the non-Southern participants overwhelmingly viewed Southern American English negatively, equating it with a lack of education, conservatism, and unintelligence. For them, all aspects of Southern English were perceived under a negative lens, strongly correlated to stereotypes about poverty and rurality.

Prevailing Negative Stereotypes

  • Rural and uneducated

  • Slow cognitive processing perceived from speech patterns

  • Associated with jingoism and xenophobia

Methodology

The research involves interviews with twenty first-language speakers of American English: half from Southeastern Middle Tennessee (Southern group) and half from urban areas across the United States (non-Southern group). The interviews highlight diverse perceptions and expectations regarding Southern accents and the identity they carry.

Sociolinguistic Interviews

  • Open conversational structure to elicit genuine responses about language perceptions.

  • Included performance-based imitations to reveal implicit attitudes towards Southern speech.

Key Findings

Across both groups, Southern American English serves as both an index of regional identity and a marker of social prejudices. The Southern group associates the accent positively while viewing grammatical deviations negatively, whereas non-Southerners generally perceive the whole Southern speech pattern as undesirable.

Concluding Observations

  • Language attitudes contribute significantly to the perception of identity.

  • Recognition of the need for further understanding of sociophonetic features of Southern American English to combat stereotypes perpetuated by national discourse.