Labov & Trudgil

Question 1

Labov in New York

Answer 1

pronouncing the 'r' is the prestigious variant because in informal situations it is more common in upper middle class speech than in lower class. Also, when people are self conscious they pick the prestigious way of speaking.
(The lower middle class pronounces 'r' more frequently in formal situations)

Question 2

Trudgil in Norwich

Answer 2

pronouncing the ending ‘ng’ on words like walking is the prestigious variable. Women of each class use the prestige variant more than men. And males used nonstandard variable not just the working class.

Question 3

Self evaluation test

Answer 3

Trudgil found that women of all classes tend to over-report by claiming that they use the prestigious variable when they don’t. Men under-report by claiming they use the nonstandard form.

Question 4

Overt prestige

Answer 4

using the type of language that is nationally recognised and used in official and educational contexts

Question 5

Covert prestige

Answer 5

comes from not identifying with the institutionalised standard. Working class speakers signal solidarity in their class by sticking to their vernacular norms

Question 6

Labov in Martha’s Vineyard

Answer 6

People who used the new vowels most were the island’s old fishermen and the change affected islanders in their 30s/40s most.

Question 7

Why?

Answer 7

the fishermen subconsciously exaggerated their non-standard pronunciation to establish themselves as a group and to distance themselves from the outsiders (exclude)

Question 8

Accommodation theory (Giles)

Answer 8

example includes the other islanders imitating these fishermen to try and be part of this group therefore convergence appears.