Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Major/Program
Linguistics
First Advisor's Name
Phillip M. Carter
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Ellen Thompson
Third Advisor's Name
Melissa Baralt
Keywords
Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Perceptual dialectology, Language ideology, Dialects
Date of Defense
11-12-2013
Abstract
Sociolinguists have discussed problematic language ideologies, such as Standard Language Ideology (Lippi-Green 1997) extensively and social perceptions of Standard English in the U.S and U.K are well documented. However, most work in this area has focused on perceptions of dialects within national contexts. This study makes a novel contribution to the study of language attitudes, investigating perceptions of British regional dialects within the U.S. A survey was created to gauge perceptions of five British regional dialects (Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, London). 49 survey participants listened to audio clips of British regional dialect speakers and then completed a mapping activity, answered perception questions, and ranked each speaker on specific qualities. Results showed that speaker region had a significant effect on perception of almost all variables at a statistically significant rate, despite unfamiliarity with all but the London dialect. Results suggest that although participants are largely unfamiliar with varieties of English in England outside of London, they assessed them by recruiting pre-existing stereotypes about vernacular dialects.
Identifier
FI13112501
Recommended Citation
Sampaio, Joanne, "American Perceptions of British Regional Dialects" (2013). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 959.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/959
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