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Language Attitudes

Language Attitudes. “Ultimately attitudes to language reflect attitudes to the users and the uses of language…” “The is nothing intrinsically beautiful or correct about any particular sound.”

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Language Attitudes

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  1. Language Attitudes “Ultimately attitudes to language reflect attitudes to the users and the uses of language…” “The is nothing intrinsically beautiful or correct about any particular sound.” “They develop attitudes towards languages which reflect their views about those who speak the languages, and the contexts and functions with which they are associated.” Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 409-410. 1/10

  2. Examples of Strong Views towards Languages  Language riots in Belgium and India  Getting rid of English road signs in Wales  Change in attitudes towards English and French in Quebec  Long delay in developing a script for written Somali because of competing prestige forms (Roman vs. Arabic alphabets) Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 410-411. 2/10

  3. Ratings of RP Speakers vs. Regional-Accent Speakers more intelligent more industrious more self-confident more determined more communicative effectiveness more social status more general pleasantness often taken more seriously more persuasive Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, p. 416. 3/10

  4. Local Accents and Covert Prestige “On the other hand, while RP tends to be rated highly on the status dimension, as in Britain, local [New Zealand] accents generally score more highly on characteristics such as friendliness and sense of humour, and other dimensions which measure solidarity or social attractiveness.” Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, p. 417. 4/10

  5. Discrimination “I have tried to show that the reasons people condemn vernacular forms are attitudinal, not linguistic. Children who use vernacular forms are not disadvantaged by inadequate language. They are disadvantaged by negative attitudes towards their speech— attitudes which derive from their lower social status and its associations in people's minds.” Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, p. 420. 5/10

  6. A Note on Methodology 1. Societal treatment 2. Direct measures 3. Indirect measures Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 420-423. 6/10

  7. A Note on Methodology 1. Societal treatment  Observing use in public domain  Examining government documents about status  Educational document  Employment advertisements  Dialect representation in novels  Cartoons (societal stereotypes)  Newspapers, books Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 420-421. 7/10

  8. A Note on Methodology 2. Direct measures  Ask direct questions about attitudes  Written questionnaires (possible large scope)  Well-known problems with questionnaires Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 421-422. 8/10

  9. A Note on Methodology 3. Indirect measures  Matched guise technique (less in your fact) Holmes, Janet. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 4th edition. London: Pearson, pp. 422-423. 9/10

  10. Sociolinguists’ Potential Contribution to Society  Educate people in society about variation and varieties  In the classroom—gaining acceptance for vernacular language  Testing Holmes, Janet. 2008. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 3rd edition. Harlow, England: Pearson-Longman, p. 420ff. 10/10

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