Social Class and Groups

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Labov's study
Use of the preconsonantal 'r' by sales assistants in shops in New York.
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Labov's findings
The more 'posh' the shop, the higher use of the 'r' sound, e.g farm or hurt. Seen as more prestigious and giving more status.
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How this differed from lower-middle/working class
Lower shops did not have clear use of the preconsonantal 'r'. They were more aware of prestige so were likely to change their accent - shows hypercorrection and sensitivity to social pressure.
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Bernstein's study
Elaborated and restricted codes.
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Bernstein's findings
Higher use of restricted code (N-SE forms) when in a close group. Elaborated codes (SE) was used in wider contexts - shows that language use is to do with context more than class.
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Petyt's study
'h' dropping.
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Petyt's findings
Working class dropped 'h' almost all the time, e.g 'at' - hat, 'orrible' - horrrible. Middle classes only used it 1 in 10. Those during social mobility changed accent towards RP. (less 'h' dropping)
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Trudgill's study
Norwich, pronounciation of 'ng'
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Trudgill's findings
Middle/working class pronounced words ending with 'ng' as the non-standard regional variant 'n'. E.g thinkin, lookin.
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Trudgill's link to gender
Women used the non-standard variant less frequently than men in all social classes, shows gender has an effect on language.
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Limitation of Trudgill's study
Norwich was the only (Northen) city examined.
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Milroy's study
Belfast. Network Strength Score.
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Milroy's findings
A high NSS correlated with use of non-standard pronounciation. Found open and closed networks.
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Milroy's open and closed networks
Open network: Members tend to not know each other if at all. Closed network: all members know each other and Network Strength is high.
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Milroy's link to gender
Men more commonly exhibited a high use of vernacular and belonged to a close knit social network.
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Cheshire's study
Reading adventure playground. Two social groups created based on attitudes to criminal behaviour.
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Cheshire's findings
Both groups used lots of non-standard forms (e.g ain't) but more in the 'working class' group.
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Cheshire's link to gender
Similar results were found for boys and girls, showing that gender does not have much of an impact on language use.
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Limitation of Cheshire
Not conclusive as it was based on stereotypes, therefore not representative of social class.
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Eckert's study
Jocks and Burnouts
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Eckert's findings
Jocks participated enthusiastically at school, Burnouts were rebellious, found people talk to those they share social practices/values with. Jocks spoke more prestigious - middle class backgrounds, Burnouts used non-standard forms - working class
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Anti-Language
Halliday: over-lexicalisation. Baker: part of their identity
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Examples of Anti-Language
Cockney Rhyming Slang e.g 'bread and honey' - money. Baker's study of Polari 'bona' - good.
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O'Barr and Atkins
Defined social group as: Live near eachother. Recognised meeting places. Distinctive subculture. Acknowledge existance of group.
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Swales
Discourse community.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The more 'posh' the shop, the higher use of the 'r' sound, e.g farm or hurt. Seen as more prestigious and giving more status.

Back

Labov's findings

Card 3

Front

Lower shops did not have clear use of the preconsonantal 'r'. They were more aware of prestige so were likely to change their accent - shows hypercorrection and sensitivity to social pressure.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Elaborated and restricted codes.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Higher use of restricted code (N-SE forms) when in a close group. Elaborated codes (SE) was used in wider contexts - shows that language use is to do with context more than class.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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