Changing our language to fit in Overt open

Changing our language to fit in Overt (open) and covert (hidden) prestige Resource 17

Watch Show the clip from The Catherine Tate How does ‘Lauren’ attempt to use language to fit in? http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=q. SNK-9 v 7_JI Resource 17

Have you ever changed the words you use to fit in to a new friendship group? Do you try to copy your friends’ language? If you are aware of changing your language/ words to fit in, this is called. . . Overt prestige You are trying to be ‘cool’ and have some ‘street cred’ to be liked and fit in. . . We all do it Nobody wants to be excluded from social/ friendship groups! Why change how we speak? Resource 17

How many of you have moved from one place to another where there is a different accent? How has this affected the way you speak? Has your accent changed? Why? Have you been aware of the change? Probably not! This is called covert prestige – meaning you are unaware of the change that has happened! When we are not aware of the change! Resource 17

Are some accents viewed more positively than others? The south west – Received Pronunciation aka The Queen’s English What about those accents that are viewed negatively? Scousers; Geordies; Brummies? Is this fair? Favourable accents? ! Resource 17

http: //www. bbc. co. uk/voices/recordings/i ndex. shtml Listen What Why? to a few different accents are your attitudes towards them? Let’s have a listen. . . Resource 17

So why are some accents viewed as more prestigious than others? The majority accent? history of the country – prestigious areas? What about political correctness? Should accent be considered in employment? Are attitudes changing? Conclusions Resource 17