Language And Ethnicity

What is ethnicity? Is there a 'white' way of speaking? Why do people sometimes borrow features of another ethnic group's language? Why do we sometimes hear an accent that isn't there? This lively overview reveals the fascinating relationship between language ethnic identity, exploring the crucial role it plays in both revealing a speaker's ethnicity and helping to construct it. Drawing on research from a range of ethnic groups around the world, it shows how language contributes to the social and psychological processes involved in the formation of ethnic identity, exploring both the linguistic features of ethnic language varieties and also the ways in which language is used by different ethnic groups. Complete with discussion questions and a glossary, Language and Ethnicity will be welcomed by students and researchers in sociolinguistics, as well as anybody interested in ethnic issues, language and education, inter-ethnic communication, and the relationship between language and identity.Includes bibliographical references (p. 228-242) and index.What is ethnicity? Is there a 'white' way of speaking? Why do people sometimes borrow features of another ethnic group's language? Why do we sometimes hear an accent that isn't there? This lively overview reveals the fascinating relationship between language ethnic identity, exploring the crucial role it plays in both revealing a speaker's ethnicity and helping to construct it. Drawing on research from a range of ethnic groups around the world, it shows how language contributes to the social and psychological processes involved in the formation of ethnic identity, exploring both the linguistic features of ethnic language varieties and also the ways in which language is used by different ethnic groups. Complete with discussion questions and a glossary, Language and Ethnicity will be welcomed by students and researchers in sociolinguistics, as well as anybody interested in ethnic issues, language and education, inter-ethnic communication, and the relationship between language and identity

Language and ethnicity/ Fought

xiv, 249 hal.: 25 cm

The English and Spanish of young adult Chicanos

Many sociolinguistic studies have focused on majority communities, particularly on speakers of Anglo ethnicity in urban settings. This study examines phonological variation among Latino speakers in Los Angeles, in order to determine how patterns of language variation in a minority community parallel or differ from those of a majority community. Sociolinguistic interviews were conducted with young adult Latino speakers of Chicano English. An analysis of their English vowels revealed evidence of some sound changes taking place among California Anglos. Three phonological variables of this type were found: the fronting of /u/, the backing of /ae/, and the raising of /ae/. A statistical examination of the use of these variables by the Latino speakers showed that the linguistic variation reflects the unique social structure of the community. To explain the variation, it was necessary to include culturally specific social factors such as gang membership in the analysis. Furthermore, interactions between social categories were crucial. In the case of /u/-fronting, for example, women and men showed different effects of the interaction of social class and gang status. The Spanish of these young adult speakers also revealed some surprising effects. First, the speakers showed varying levels of phonological nativeness in Spanish, despite having acquired Spanish at home from infancy. In an experimental setting, some speakers were consistently rated by other speakers from the community as having a native accent, while others received very low accent ratings. The two factors that correlated with Spanish fluency were the presence of a Spanish-monolingual parent in the home, and the interaction of sex and social class. The latter pattern shows a striking parallel to the gender effect that was seen for the English variables, suggesting that the same intersecting social norms may influence both languages in a bilingual community

The English and Spanish of young adult Chicanos

Many sociolinguistic studies have focused on majority communities, particularly on speakers of Anglo ethnicity in urban settings. This study examines phonological variation among Latino speakers in Los Angeles, in order to determine how patterns of language variation in a minority community parallel or differ from those of a majority community. Sociolinguistic interviews were conducted with young adult Latino speakers of Chicano English. An analysis of their English vowels revealed evidence of some sound changes taking place among California Anglos. Three phonological variables of this type were found: the fronting of /u/, the backing of /ae/, and the raising of /ae/. A statistical examination of the use of these variables by the Latino speakers showed that the linguistic variation reflects the unique social structure of the community. To explain the variation, it was necessary to include culturally specific social factors such as gang membership in the analysis. Furthermore, interactions between social categories were crucial. In the case of /u/-fronting, for example, women and men showed different effects of the interaction of social class and gang status. The Spanish of these young adult speakers also revealed some surprising effects. First, the speakers showed varying levels of phonological nativeness in Spanish, despite having acquired Spanish at home from infancy. In an experimental setting, some speakers were consistently rated by other speakers from the community as having a native accent, while others received very low accent ratings. The two factors that correlated with Spanish fluency were the presence of a Spanish-monolingual parent in the home, and the interaction of sex and social class. The latter pattern shows a striking parallel to the gender effect that was seen for the English variables, suggesting that the same intersecting social norms may influence both languages in a bilingual community