As a topic for this term paper I chose an interesting and currently discussed accent in the south of Great Britain: The so-called "Estuary English". I was motivated to write about it because of its special role among the accents in the U.K. Some believe it to be "tomorrow’s RP". As there are a lot of varieties of English in the media and popular music, even foreign language learners get in contact with different pronunciations and accents. Apparently, as a future language teacher, it is important for me to teach students a right pronunciation of British English and moreover to be a role model in this respect. Therefore it will certainly help me to know something about the most popular accents in Great Britain and I believe Estuary English (EE) to be one of them.
What are the aims of the following term paper? At first, I will define some basic terms that are important for this topic and explain the special role of EE. Second, I am going to describe the linguistic features and variables of EE in detail by referring to linguistic studies and research that has been done. After that I will talk about the status and prestige of EE and explain the role of the media in this context. Finally I am going to finish with a short summary of what has been said.
Estuary English is currently one of the most interesting accents in Great Britain. It was first scientifically looked at in 1984 by David Rosewarne, who coined the term. Since then, EE has spread quickly from its original area, the Thames Estuary, to the north and west. It is widely accepted and even famous people are heard speaking EE. The most important features are the glottal stop and the l-vocalization. These are also the features that could be taken over as the future standard, as they are widely used and not only in EE. The importance of EE for the English Language as such is rather overestimated, especially in the media; still it is noteworthy that at least some features are significant for the future.
Table of Contents
- Introduction/Motivation
- Definition:
- What is a dialect? What is an accent?
- The study of accents and dialects in Great Britain
- Estuary English as a special accent
- Linguistic features (variables) of Estuary English
- Vowels
- Diphthongs
- Consonants
- Differences concerning vocabulary and grammar
- Status and prestige of Estuary English
- “EE” and the media
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to define Estuary English (EE), describe its linguistic features, and analyze its status and prestige within the context of British accents. It explores EE's role in the media and investigates the possibility of it becoming a dominant accent, replacing Received Pronunciation (RP).
- Definition and differentiation of dialects and accents.
- Detailed description of the linguistic features of Estuary English.
- Analysis of the social status and prestige associated with Estuary English.
- The role of media in the dissemination and perception of Estuary English.
- Discussion of the potential for Estuary English to replace Received Pronunciation as a standard accent.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction/Motivation: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's focus on Estuary English (EE), highlighting its current relevance and debated role as a potential successor to Received Pronunciation (RP). The author's personal motivation as a future language teacher is also emphasized, underscoring the importance of understanding diverse British accents for effective teaching. The chapter outlines the paper's objectives: defining key terms, detailing EE's linguistic features, examining its status and media presence, and concluding with a summary.
Definition: - What is a dialect? What is an accent?: This section differentiates between dialect and accent, clarifying that dialects are distinguished by grammar and vocabulary, while accents refer to variations in pronunciation. It establishes the paper's primary focus on the pronunciation aspects of EE, particularly its deviations from RP. The chapter briefly acknowledges vocabulary differences in EE, promising a more detailed exploration in a later section.
The study of accents and dialects in Great Britain: This section discusses the significant variations in English accents and dialects across Great Britain, highlighting regional differences, particularly between the north and south. It also notes the sociolinguistic aspects, with variations existing among different social classes and genders. The relatively recent emergence of EE as a subject of linguistic study is pointed out, along with the critical perspectives some linguists hold towards the term itself.
Estuary English as a special accent: This chapter delves into the origins and characteristics of EE, as first described by David Rosewarne. It highlights the geographic location of EE's origin near the Thames Estuary, its position as a blend between RP and Cockney, and the contrasting viewpoints of linguists like Rosewarne and Wells on its definition and nature. The rapid spread of EE and its increasing media presence are also discussed, alongside the ongoing debate about its potential to supplant RP as a standard accent.
Keywords
Estuary English, Received Pronunciation (RP), British accents, dialects, sociolinguistics, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, media influence, language change, social mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Estuary English
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper focuses on Estuary English (EE), a relatively new accent in Britain. It aims to define EE, describe its linguistic features, and analyze its social status and prestige, particularly in relation to Received Pronunciation (RP).
What are the key objectives of this study?
The study seeks to define and differentiate between dialects and accents; provide a detailed description of EE's linguistic features (vowels, diphthongs, consonants, vocabulary, and grammar); analyze the social status and prestige associated with EE; examine the role of the media in shaping perceptions of EE; and discuss the potential for EE to replace RP as a dominant accent.
What is the difference between a dialect and an accent, as defined in the paper?
The paper clarifies that dialects are distinguished by differences in grammar and vocabulary, while accents refer to variations in pronunciation. The study primarily focuses on the pronunciation aspects of EE.
What are the main linguistic features of Estuary English discussed?
The paper outlines the key features of EE, including variations in vowels, diphthongs, and consonants, as well as differences in vocabulary and grammar compared to RP. A detailed breakdown of these features is promised in a later chapter.
What is the social status and prestige of Estuary English?
The paper investigates the social standing and perceived prestige of EE. This includes an examination of its presence and role within the media and the ongoing debate about its potential to replace RP.
What is the role of the media in the context of Estuary English?
The paper explores how the media contributes to the dissemination and perception of EE, and how this influences its potential rise in prominence.
What is the potential future of Estuary English?
The paper discusses the possibility of EE replacing RP as a dominant accent in Britain, considering factors such as its spread, media presence, and social perception.
What is Received Pronunciation (RP)?
While not explicitly defined, RP is presented as the traditional standard British accent, against which EE is compared and contrasted throughout the paper.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The document includes chapter summaries covering the introduction (motivation and objectives), the definition of dialects and accents, the study of accents and dialects in Great Britain, and Estuary English as a special accent. Each summary briefly describes the content and focus of its corresponding chapter.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include Estuary English, Received Pronunciation (RP), British accents, dialects, sociolinguistics, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, media influence, language change, and social mobility.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2007, Estuary English as a Special Accent, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/457698
