Accommodation theory Flashcards
Idiolect
variation in language use associated with an individual’s personalised ’speech style’
Sociolect
the language used by a specific social group
Familect
– A style of language used within a specific family group
Who came up with accommodation theory
Howard Giles
What is accommodation
adjusting one’s speech to match others
This can be grammar, vocabulary, accent or delivery
What are the 2 levels of communication
Interpersonal communication; driven by our personalities
Inter group communication- driven by our identities as members of a wider social group eg teacher will speak differently to students than friends
What is convergent accommodation
When you change your speech to match the speaker to seek approval in a social situation
What is divergent accommodation
If a speaker wants to disassociate themselves from the participants within a social situation they may change their speak to show they are different
Motivés for convergence
- To seek approval and respect from
others - To show respect to others
- Increase social reward
- Improve communication
- Reduce uncertainty and anxiety
Motivés for divergence
- To emphasise difference and distinctiveness from others
- To shape others’ feelings, e.g. making others feel left out
- To show belonging to a specific group, e.g. speaking with a stronger native accent
- To influence others’ speech, e.g. talking quietly in hopes others will too
What is upwards convergence
making their speech sound more upper-class. (RP)
What is downward convergence
adjusting their communication to downplay their social status.
Whats it called when 2 people converge
Mutual convergence
What is upwards divergence
involves an individual accentuating their social status (i.e. speaking a little more posh) to distance themselves from others.
What is downward divergence
An individual accentuating a working class accent
