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Class-Related Variation

Main research studies of relevance:

• Labov - Martha’s Vineyard (variety deliberately obtained/retained to differentiate class)
• Labov - Department Store (lower middle class most sensitive to pressure & most likely to hypercorrect/attempt to upwardly converge) BUT remember Labov is a US researcher and his work cannot be the only one you use in your answer.
• Cheshire - Reading study (toughness index/prestige)
• Trudgill - Norwich study (overt/covert prestige)
• Milroys - Belfast (links between network density & prestige)

Remember:

Overt prestige = socially desirable (associated with women & middle/higher classes)

Covert prestige = non-standard, desirable in certain groups (associated with men & working/lower classes)

Classes are defined differently by different people/bodies - most studies broadly differentiate between upper (RP/Standard) middle (standard in slight accent) and working/lower (local/urban accent & dialect).  Labov and Trudgill separated middle into 3 and found the lowest middle group - who were the most insecure socially - were the most sensitive to pressure to conform/converge.  Do you remember how this was tested?