A Case Study of the Oxfordshire Accent: The Difficulties of Research.
- Sadé Lee, University of Gloucestershire
- Glendinning Lecture Theatre 2D67, UWE Bristol
A major objective of researchers following the Labovian variationist tradition is to uncover the constraints which lead to the use of certain linguistic variables (Milroy and Gordon 2003:5). Variationist studies begin with the premise that language variation is structured and from this aim to uncover the patterns of language use (Milroy and Gordon 2003:5). In line with the variationist theory, the analyses in this study of accent variation were based on observed data.
A total of twelve participants from Kidlington, Oxfordshire were selected to take part in semi-structured interviews; materials were used to elicit linguistic variables that according to literature, appeared to be in a state of flux. Literature initially used included Trudgill’s (1999) ‘The Dialects of England’ and Upton and Widdowson’s (2006) ‘Atlas of English Dialects’. The data obtained was then used alongside 1953 recordings from the British Library to carry out an apparent time study in order to gain an insight into language change and variation in Oxfordshire over the last sixty years. Apparent time studies involve the division of a speech community into age groups; each group is then studied to establish any linguistic differences; a difference is indicative of a change (Mesthrie et al 200:120).
This paper discusses the difficulties experienced whilst carrying out the research in the village of Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The key literature initially used will be explored and the difficulties witnessed during the interview process will be discussed. Labov’s ‘vernacular principle’ (Labov 1972 in Wodak et al 2010:302) will also be examined against the elicitation techniques chosen for the study to understand the patterns of the linguistic variables present in Oxfordshire. The ‘vernacular principle’ refers to the belief that natural conversation is the desired spoken style when analysing a language in relation to its history (Wardhaugh 2006:19).
A total of twelve participants from Kidlington, Oxfordshire were selected to take part in semi-structured interviews; materials were used to elicit linguistic variables that according to literature, appeared to be in a state of flux. Literature initially used included Trudgill’s (1999) ‘The Dialects of England’ and Upton and Widdowson’s (2006) ‘Atlas of English Dialects’. The data obtained was then used alongside 1953 recordings from the British Library to carry out an apparent time study in order to gain an insight into language change and variation in Oxfordshire over the last sixty years. Apparent time studies involve the division of a speech community into age groups; each group is then studied to establish any linguistic differences; a difference is indicative of a change (Mesthrie et al 200:120).
This paper discusses the difficulties experienced whilst carrying out the research in the village of Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The key literature initially used will be explored and the difficulties witnessed during the interview process will be discussed. Labov’s ‘vernacular principle’ (Labov 1972 in Wodak et al 2010:302) will also be examined against the elicitation techniques chosen for the study to understand the patterns of the linguistic variables present in Oxfordshire. The ‘vernacular principle’ refers to the belief that natural conversation is the desired spoken style when analysing a language in relation to its history (Wardhaugh 2006:19).