Social variation of English pronunciation. Social markers in the USA

In all English-speaking countries there exist a close and obvious connection between language and social class: speech stratification correlates with social stratification.

In the USA, New York is viewed as the centre of crime and drug taking (but also the financial and intellectual centre). Although there is no necessary connection at all between personality types and accents, most people react as if there were. A Southern accent evokes associations with the agricultural area, with ignorance, conservative views and habits, but also with southern aristocracy and “southern beauties”

Phonetic social markers in the USA, according to William Labov:

Variables [r] [d], [t]

Middle class 25 17

Working class 13 45

Lower class 11 56

In the New York (non-rhotic area) growing tendency to pronounce [r] is a prestige social marker of middle-class. [d] instead [ð]- lower class.

21. Phonostylistics: subject of study, study forming factors, phonetic styles.

Phonostylistics studies the way phonetic features (both segmental and suprasegmental) are used in this or that particular situation. The aim of phonostylistics is to analyse different kinds of spoken contexts and identify the phonetic features typical of these contexts (face-to-face, telephone dialogue, political debate, academic speech)

Style-forming factors:

- purpose and subject

- attitude

- form of communication (monologue/dialogue)

- formality of situation

- degree of preparedness (e. g. any formal speech is prepared, any informal speech is not prepared)

Phonetic styles:

- Interpersonal communication – formal/informal dialogue

- telephone conversation - formal/informal dialogue

- interview – formal dialogue

- public speech – prepared formal monologue

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