Language and ethnicity

Question 0

Sharma and Sankaran:

What were the variables focused on for ‘Indian British’?

Answer 0

• Retroflex /t/ - further back on the pallet
• monophthongal /o/ - ‘got’ sound rather than ‘goat’
• light /l/ - clear in ‘full’

Question 1

Sharma and Sankaran:

When did Sharma and Sankran do their study?

Answer 1

2011

Question 2

Sharma and Sankaran:

What were the British English variations of the Indian English variables?

Answer 2

• Alveolar /t/ - on the ridge
• diphthongal /o/ - goat
• dark /l/ - not clear in full or milk

Question 3

Sharma and Sankaran:

Who were the people used in Sharma and Sankaran’s study?

Answer 3

3 generations:

• oldest: arrived in 1950s
• middle: children of early immigrants
• youngest: children of later immigrants

Question 4

Sharma and Sankaran:

What was the aim of Sharma and Sankaran’s study?

Answer 4

To find out:

• if there is a change in ethnic group variation between generations
• whether the accent of ethnic minorities change depending on who they are speaking with

Question 5

Sharma and Sankaran:

What two examples were there of the older man speaking with different people?

Answer 5

• maid: Retroflex /t/ - 80% monophthongal /o/ - 100% light /l/-100%
• cockney mechanic - 0% variables

Question 6

Sharma and Sankaran:

Why did the older generation vary his language so much?

Answer 6

• was under more pressure to fit in when arriving in the 50s to a hostile, anti-immigrant environment

Question 7

Sharma and Sankaran:

What were the findings for the youngest man?

Answer 7

• not much variation

- never completely one way or the other unlike older

Question 8

Sharma and Sankaran:

What may be some reasons for the younger man having little variation?

Answer 8

• at a time where attitudes are more accepting

- may be the majority in an area with no need to fit in

Question 9

Sharma and Sankaran:

Where was this study done?

Answer 9

West London