Theories - Language and Ethnicity

Question 1

What is a Pidgin?

Answer 1

A language that combines two or more languages. It is usually quite limited in vocabulary but gets the point across.

Question 2

What is a Creole?

Answer 2

When a pidgin is used so often it gets picked up by the younger generation who learn it as their first language.

Question 3

Creoles have 3 levels of social prestigiousness, what are they?

Answer 3

Acrolect (most prestigious), Mesolect, and Basilect (least prestigious).

Question 4

What is Patois?

Answer 4

Jamaican Patois - a creole between Jamaican and English. Originates from colonisation.

Question 5

Where did the first generation of BBE (Black British English) come from?

Answer 5

Windrush generation in the 40s/50s.

Question 6

Give 2 features of BBE.

Question 7

Was BBE always viewed negatively?

Answer 7

No. In the 70s people started to ‘code mix’ because BBE was considered cool and tough, and it demonstrated ‘competence in heterosexual relationships’.

Question 8

What is MUE?

Answer 8

Multicultural Urban English. It grew in cities and originated from BBE, but is viewed as poor, unintelligent or undesirable.