British identity and English (only?)

[Anthea Fraser Gupta]

Though the point of Crosstalk was that the 'immigrants' had different
politeness systems from the 'indigenous'. So I suppose that those who
promote a common culture for all Brits would say that 'immigrants' (and
ethnic minorities) should learn the 'indigenous' ('mainstream') systems
in order to assimilate. A 'multiculturalist' would say that both sides
should be sensitised to the possibility of alternatives.

I find it all very depressing.

Anthea
(old Labour (=old fashioned style of socialist), old multiculturalist)


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Anthea Fraser Gupta (Dr)
School of English, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT
<www.leeds.ac.uk/english/staff/afg>
NB: Reply to a.f.gupta at leeds.ac.uk
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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu
[mailto:owner-lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu] On Behalf Of Aurolyn
Luykx
Sent: 22 September 2005 18:46
To: lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu
Subject: RE: British identity and English (only?)


I wasn't referring to "manners" in the etiquette
sense, but rather in terms of the sorts of things
highlighted in Gumperz's film -- interactional styles,
implicit "codes" and expectations guiding
conversation, etc. Certainly not agreed upon by all
the people speaking English in Britain! (as the film
shows). No doubt it would look quaint these days, but
the arguments still hold.
Aurolyn