11. Changing domains of dialect use: A real-time study of Shetland schoolchildren
-
Mercedes Durham
Abstract
This paper considers the degree to which large-scale shifts in dialect use can be correlated with changes in domains of use. This is done by examining over 850 attitudinal questionnaires completed by Shetland schoolchildren in 1983 and in 2010. The longitudinal perspective is especially valuable here as there has been a widespread move away from the dialect in Shetland by the youngest generations in recent times. Comparing the data from the two periods makes it possible to examine the extent to which the dialect is concretely being used less and in what domains in particular this shift has taken place, but also whether the dialect is in fact more acceptable (even if not always used) in a wider range of domains than it was previously.
Abstract
This paper considers the degree to which large-scale shifts in dialect use can be correlated with changes in domains of use. This is done by examining over 850 attitudinal questionnaires completed by Shetland schoolchildren in 1983 and in 2010. The longitudinal perspective is especially valuable here as there has been a widespread move away from the dialect in Shetland by the youngest generations in recent times. Comparing the data from the two periods makes it possible to examine the extent to which the dialect is concretely being used less and in what domains in particular this shift has taken place, but also whether the dialect is in fact more acceptable (even if not always used) in a wider range of domains than it was previously.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- List of figures and tables ix
- 1. Introduction 1
-
I. Enregisterment
- 2. Northern English and enregisterment 17
- 3. Dickens and northern English: stereotyping and ‘authenticity’ reconsidered 41
- 4. The linguistic landscape of north-east England 61
- 5. Lenition and T-to-R are differently salient: the representation of competing realisations of /t/ in Liverpool English dialect literature 83
-
II. Phonology
- 6. External and internal factors in a levelling process: Prevocalic (r) in Carlisle English 111
- 7. Scouse NURSE and northern happy: vowel change in Liverpool English 135
-
III. Syntax and discourse features
- 8. Are Scottish national identities reflected in the syntax of Scottish newspapers? 169
- 9. Final but in northern Englishes 191
-
IV. Sociolinguistics
- 10. Education, class and vernacular awareness on Tyneside 215
- 11. Changing domains of dialect use: A real-time study of Shetland schoolchildren 245
-
V. Language and corpus
- 12. New perspectives on Scottish Standard English: Introducing the Scottish component of the International Corpus of English 273
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- List of figures and tables ix
- 1. Introduction 1
-
I. Enregisterment
- 2. Northern English and enregisterment 17
- 3. Dickens and northern English: stereotyping and ‘authenticity’ reconsidered 41
- 4. The linguistic landscape of north-east England 61
- 5. Lenition and T-to-R are differently salient: the representation of competing realisations of /t/ in Liverpool English dialect literature 83
-
II. Phonology
- 6. External and internal factors in a levelling process: Prevocalic (r) in Carlisle English 111
- 7. Scouse NURSE and northern happy: vowel change in Liverpool English 135
-
III. Syntax and discourse features
- 8. Are Scottish national identities reflected in the syntax of Scottish newspapers? 169
- 9. Final but in northern Englishes 191
-
IV. Sociolinguistics
- 10. Education, class and vernacular awareness on Tyneside 215
- 11. Changing domains of dialect use: A real-time study of Shetland schoolchildren 245
-
V. Language and corpus
- 12. New perspectives on Scottish Standard English: Introducing the Scottish component of the International Corpus of English 273
- Index 303
