Phonetics v intro

Phonetics VPhonetics V Teacher: Mr. Jordán MasíasTeacher: Mr. Jordán Masías

Phonetics VPhonetics V

An introduction to accents An introduction to accents

Based upon Wells ...Based upon Wells ...


What’s an accent?What’s an accent?• Pattern of pronunciation used by speakers (of English in this Pattern of pronunciation used by speakers (of English in this

case) or the community or social group to which he/she case) or the community or social group to which he/she belongs.belongs.

• The use of particular vowel or consonant sounds and The use of particular vowel or consonant sounds and particular rythmic and intonational features.particular rythmic and intonational features.

• The structural and systemic relationships between those The structural and systemic relationships between those features.features.

• The phonological representations, and the articulations, The phonological representations, and the articulations, together with the rules that relate one another.together with the rules that relate one another.

• And finally, the relationship between all these, as well as And finally, the relationship between all these, as well as the individual words, or other items which constitute the the individual words, or other items which constitute the speaker’s abstract (mental) awareness of the language.speaker’s abstract (mental) awareness of the language.


In simpler words?In simpler words?• It is characteristic of people belonging to some region It is characteristic of people belonging to some region

and/or to a certain social group, and it may be typical of the and/or to a certain social group, and it may be typical of the speaker’s sex, age group, or “level of education”.speaker’s sex, age group, or “level of education”.


Can you produce a simpler Can you produce a simpler explanation?explanation?


Borderlines of accents...Borderlines of accents...

• Let’s see this exerciseLet’s see this exercise


• Sometimes speakers Sometimes speakers do not use only do not use only ‘a ‘a way of speaking’, way of speaking’, but but also ‘funny words’also ‘funny words’

• See the following..See the following..


Dialects, varieties, traditional-Dialects, varieties, traditional-dialect.dialect.

• Accent study comes across dialects.Accent study comes across dialects.

• The term dialect refers to a variety of a language The term dialect refers to a variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular group of the that is characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers.The term is applied most language's speakers.The term is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors, such as may also be defined by other factors, such as social class.social class.

• A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (phonology, grammar, and pronunciation (phonology, including prosody).including prosody).


E.g. E.g. You must eat it up*You must eat it up*

tntn

* Different dialects saying ‘you must eat it up’.... What can you notice? * Different dialects saying ‘you must eat it up’.... What can you notice? Is it only a change in pronunciation? See Wells, ...Is it only a change in pronunciation? See Wells, ...


• Some considerations:Some considerations:

• A dialect is vaguely defined.A dialect is vaguely defined.

• In linguistics the term is used to refer to any In linguistics the term is used to refer to any speech variety that is more than an idolect speech variety that is more than an idolect and less than a language.and less than a language.

• a difference between varieties may involve a difference between varieties may involve any or all of syntax, morphology, lexicon, and any or all of syntax, morphology, lexicon, and pronunciation.pronunciation.

• a difference of accent, in turn, is a difference a difference of accent, in turn, is a difference between varieties of General English which between varieties of General English which involve only pronunciation.involve only pronunciation.


Geography and varietiesGeography and varieties• ““[…] one important disctinction between speaking […] one important disctinction between speaking

traditional-dialect and speaking General English traditional-dialect and speaking General English with a given accent is […] a matter of the with a given accent is […] a matter of the phonological specifications of lexical items, that is phonological specifications of lexical items, that is of the lexical incidence of particular phonemes in of the lexical incidence of particular phonemes in particular words.”particular words.”

• The first thing we notice about a person’s speech is The first thing we notice about a person’s speech is where he comes from: where he grew up, and where he comes from: where he grew up, and maybe where he currently lives (in very broad maybe where he currently lives (in very broad terms).terms).

• Accents are powerful indicators of geographical Accents are powerful indicators of geographical identity.identity.


Geography and varietiesGeography and varieties

• A group of people sharing the same ‘accent’ may as A group of people sharing the same ‘accent’ may as well share experiences, cultural perspectives, well share experiences, cultural perspectives, historical backgrounds etc.historical backgrounds etc.

• We might regard different accents of our same We might regard different accents of our same region, to be rough, rude, ugly, or nice, posh, well region, to be rough, rude, ugly, or nice, posh, well educated. All those conceptions, nevertheless, are educated. All those conceptions, nevertheless, are geographically distinct and are constantly building geographically distinct and are constantly building up.up.

• Regionality is seen not only from country to Regionality is seen not only from country to country, but also, from urban people to countryside country, but also, from urban people to countryside people, from city to city, neighbourhood to people, from city to city, neighbourhood to neighborhood , etcneighborhood , etc


Socio-economic classSocio-economic class• There is a perceivable connection between cultural There is a perceivable connection between cultural

appreciation, language and social class (although it appreciation, language and social class (although it may not happen in all cultures)may not happen in all cultures)

• Non-phonetic factors and phonemic factors might lead Non-phonetic factors and phonemic factors might lead us to regard someone as to be from the lower, middle, us to regard someone as to be from the lower, middle, higher or whatever class we can think of.higher or whatever class we can think of.

• Studies have found that (in England) a person from a Studies have found that (in England) a person from a working class will speak with a greater regional working class will speak with a greater regional ‘accent’ or will use his dialect more. All the opposite ‘accent’ or will use his dialect more. All the opposite happens with a person from the upper class, who happens with a person from the upper class, who would use would use RPRP..


• 1972- a survey from an association called National 1972- a survey from an association called National Opinion Polls included the question: “Which of these Opinion Polls included the question: “Which of these (eleven factors) would you say are more important in (eleven factors) would you say are more important in being able to tell which class a person is?being able to tell which class a person is?

• The higher scores were: The higher scores were:

• 1) The way they speak.1) The way they speak.

• 2) Where they live.2) Where they live.

• 3) The friends they have.3) The friends they have.

REGIONAL VARIATIONREGIONAL VARIATION

Sº Sº

VV

AA

RR

II

AA

TT

II

OO

NN


Sex, ethnicitySex, ethnicity• Even though we have got a certain degree of Even though we have got a certain degree of

choice over our socio-economic status (that is to choice over our socio-economic status (that is to say, we can accomodate our language and thus say, we can accomodate our language and thus guide the interlocutor’s perspective towards a guide the interlocutor’s perspective towards a given perception of ourselves) we haven’t got it given perception of ourselves) we haven’t got it (up to the same extent at least) over our sex and (up to the same extent at least) over our sex and ethnic identity.ethnic identity.

• Culture influences the ways in which men and Culture influences the ways in which men and women use language.women use language.


Sex, ethnicitySex, ethnicity

• In some cultures men and women are to use In some cultures men and women are to use different patterns of pronunciation: different patterns of pronunciation:

e.g. in Koasati e.g. in Koasati ((Native American language of Muskogean origin)Native American language of Muskogean origin) for the for the sentence “he will lift it” a man would pronounce it sentence “he will lift it” a man would pronounce it /// and a woman would do it like // and a woman would do it like //. In /. In english these differences are not so notorious. english these differences are not so notorious.


• Studies performed both in the UK and the USA have Studies performed both in the UK and the USA have shown that women, despite their socio-economic shown that women, despite their socio-economic class (and thus their dialect-accent-traditional class (and thus their dialect-accent-traditional dialect) show greater tendency to use the prestige dialect) show greater tendency to use the prestige norm, “they tend to speak more standardize” norm, “they tend to speak more standardize” (Wolfram 1969, Trudgill 1974, Le Page 1977)(Wolfram 1969, Trudgill 1974, Le Page 1977)

• At the same time, it’s supposed that women tend to At the same time, it’s supposed that women tend to use greater variation in intonation (due to their use greater variation in intonation (due to their higher pitch perhaps)higher pitch perhaps)



• And also, it has been claimed that women tend to And also, it has been claimed that women tend to use more ‘tentative’ (typically rising tones) use more ‘tentative’ (typically rising tones) intonation patterns, so as to reflect their relative intonation patterns, so as to reflect their relative powerlessness and inferior status. powerlessness and inferior status.

• Some other features lie outside phonology, like the Some other features lie outside phonology, like the use of question tags, lexical choices, willingness to use of question tags, lexical choices, willingness to interrupt other people, etc… interrupt other people, etc…

• All of these differences, though, lie on the cultural All of these differences, though, lie on the cultural stands of the speakers.stands of the speakers.



• Research yet, has not been able to elucidate the Research yet, has not been able to elucidate the possible correlation between sexual orientation and possible correlation between sexual orientation and phonology. Nevertheless, there is noticeably, an phonology. Nevertheless, there is noticeably, an empiric relationship between gender/role and empiric relationship between gender/role and allegiance .allegiance .

• There is no necessary relationship between There is no necessary relationship between language (dialect / accent) and racial or ethnic language (dialect / accent) and racial or ethnic origin. “ a speaker’s language is determined by the origin. “ a speaker’s language is determined by the linguistic environment in which he is raised or to linguistic environment in which he is raised or to which he subsequently becomes exposed, and so which he subsequently becomes exposed, and so his pronunciation of it.his pronunciation of it.



AgeAge

• The question here gets complex, because to define The question here gets complex, because to define a dialect in terms of age, the factors to be a dialect in terms of age, the factors to be considered are innumerable, and the discussion considered are innumerable, and the discussion raises towards finding suitable definitions to dialect, raises towards finding suitable definitions to dialect, variety, accent, jargon, etc.variety, accent, jargon, etc.

• Empirically, there is a difference, though.Empirically, there is a difference, though.


StandardStandard

• Conforming to the established language usage of Conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakerseducated native speakers

• In English is RP, or , Received PronunciationIn English is RP, or , Received Pronunciation


RP RP • Received Pronunciation (RP)—also called the Received Pronunciation (RP)—also called the

Queen's (or King's) English and BBC English—is the Queen's (or King's) English and BBC English—is the standard accent of Standard English in England, standard accent of Standard English in England, with a relationship to regional dialects similar to with a relationship to regional dialects similar to that of other European languages.that of other European languages.

• Although there is nothing intrinsic about RP that Although there is nothing intrinsic about RP that marks it as superior than any other variety, marks it as superior than any other variety, sociolinguistic factors give Received Pronunciation sociolinguistic factors give Received Pronunciation particular prestige in England and Wales.particular prestige in England and Wales.

• What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?• From wikipediaFrom wikipedia

• Further details see Wells (1999-2000)Further details see Wells (1999-2000)


• RP use is socially advantageous over other RP use is socially advantageous over other English dialects within England but carries no English dialects within England but carries no "special privileges" outside England. Because of "special privileges" outside England. Because of its formal nature, using RP in casual its formal nature, using RP in casual circumstances can give the impression that the circumstances can give the impression that the speaker is overly ostentatious or pompous. speaker is overly ostentatious or pompous.

• The word The word receivedreceived conveys its original meaning conveys its original meaning of of acceptedaccepted or or approvedapproved – as in "received – as in "received wisdom". There have also long been certain wisdom". There have also long been certain words that have had more than one RP words that have had more than one RP pronunciation, such as pronunciation, such as againagain, , eithereither, and , and moormoor

RP RP


• RP is an accent (a form of pronunciation) and not RP is an accent (a form of pronunciation) and not a dialect (a form of vocabulary and grammar as a dialect (a form of vocabulary and grammar as well as pronunciation). It may show a great deal well as pronunciation). It may show a great deal about the social and educational background of a about the social and educational background of a person who uses English. A person using the RP person who uses English. A person using the RP will typically speak Standard English although the will typically speak Standard English although the reverse is not necessarily true (e.g. the standard reverse is not necessarily true (e.g. the standard language may be spoken by one in a regional language may be spoken by one in a regional accent, such as a Yorkshire accent; but it is very accent, such as a Yorkshire accent; but it is very unlikely that one speaking in RP would use it to unlikely that one speaking in RP would use it to speak Scots or Geordie).speak Scots or Geordie).

RP RP


• Migration to London in the 14th and 15th Migration to London in the 14th and 15th centuries was mostly from the counties directly centuries was mostly from the counties directly north of London rather than those directly south. north of London rather than those directly south. There are differences both within and among the There are differences both within and among the three counties mentioned, but a conglomeration three counties mentioned, but a conglomeration emerged in London, and also mixed with some emerged in London, and also mixed with some elements of Essex and Middlesex speech. By the elements of Essex and Middlesex speech. By the end of the 15th century, "Standard English" was end of the 15th century, "Standard English" was established in the City of London.established in the City of London.

RP RP


R. R. P. P.


• Transcript for Newport (RP)Transcript for Newport (RP)

• Julian: It’s difficult really, cause Julian: It’s difficult really, cause there are two sides to me: one, there are two sides to me: one, I’m still appalled at the quality of I’m still appalled at the quality of what we build ourselves since, so what we build ourselves since, so that, you know, we’re keeping that, you know, we’re keeping probably enough of the old, I probably enough of the old, I mean, the centre, say, of Cardiff mean, the centre, say, of Cardiff looks a great deal better now looks a great deal better now than it did when I first came to than it did when I first came to Wales. And, uhm, part of that’s, Wales. And, uhm, part of that’s, that’s the old and part of that’s that’s the old and part of that’s the new build; the two of them the new build; the two of them have, have not been too badly; have, have not been too badly; and part of it’s just improvements and part of it’s just improvements in the, sort of, pedestrianisation in the, sort of, pedestrianisation and the rest of it. And that’s, and the rest of it. And that’s, that’s been, that’s been quite, that’s been, that’s been quite, quite good, but yet, you know, quite good, but yet, you know, the outer bits are just, you know, the outer bits are just, you know, there’ll, there’ll be bad nineties as there’ll, there’ll be bad nineties as well as there’s bad eighties and well as there’s bad eighties and bad seventies and bad sixties bad seventies and bad sixties building and, and those kind of building and, and those kind of rings are getting bigger [...]rings are getting bigger [...]


• Commentary for Newport (RP)Commentary for Newport (RP)

• Julian’s speech gives no clues to his age, occupation or Julian’s speech gives no clues to his age, occupation or where he comes from. And yet it is instantly recognisable where he comes from. And yet it is instantly recognisable and leads us to assume he is from a middle-class, well-and leads us to assume he is from a middle-class, well-educated background. His accent conforms to what we educated background. His accent conforms to what we might term mainstream RP. In other words, he does not might term mainstream RP. In other words, he does not deviate from the currently accepted pronunciation deviate from the currently accepted pronunciation conventions as recorded in dictionaries and as taught to conventions as recorded in dictionaries and as taught to foreign students.foreign students.

• Elegant and sophisticatedElegant and sophisticated

• Many commentators would use adjectives such as ‘well-Many commentators would use adjectives such as ‘well-spoken’ or ‘elegant’ to describe this accent. Such value spoken’ or ‘elegant’ to describe this accent. Such value judgements are not based on linguistic criteria, as speakers judgements are not based on linguistic criteria, as speakers of all accents can demonstrate eloquence and of all accents can demonstrate eloquence and sophistication. But the fact that this attitude remains sophistication. But the fact that this attitude remains widespread shows the status RP still holds for many people.widespread shows the status RP still holds for many people.

Phonetics v intro

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