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

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qSNK-9v7_JI http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qSNK-9v7_JI Watch the clip from The Catherine Tate Show How does ‘Lauren’ attempt to use language to fit in? Resource 17

3. Why change how we speak? 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! Resource 17

4. When we are not aware of the change! 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! Resource 17

5. Favourable accents?! 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? Resource 17

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

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