LL-L "Language varieties" 2007.11.26 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L List]

=======================================================================

 L O W L A N D S - L * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226

 http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands.list at gmail.com

 Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/rules.php

 Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org - lowlands.list at gmail.com

 Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.net

 Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html

 Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html

 Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]

 Administration: lowlands.list at gmail.com or sassisch at yahoo.com


 You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
 To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
 text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
 sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.


 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
 L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
 S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West) Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)

=======================================================================

L O W L A N D S - L  -  26 November 2007 - Volume 01
Song Contest: lowlands-l.net/contest/ (- 31 Dec. 2007)
 ========================================================================

From: Paul Finlow-Bates <wolf_thunder51 at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Language varieties" 2007.11.25 (07) [E]

From: Luc Hellinckx <luc.hellinckx at gmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "Language varieties"

Beste Ron,

You wrote:
> To some degree this applies in England also (substitute "English" for
> "German"), though there will always be "accents." However, unlike in
> Britain, speaking non-standard language has not yet received the
> general nod of approval.

The general nod of approval in the UK? This makes me wonder what kind of
English, British teachers use in school.

Standard or not???

Kind greetings,

Luc Hellinckx

----------

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Language varieties

Hi, Luc!

As far as I know -- and our British friends no doubt will correct me if I'm
wrong -- the educational system in British was tweaked quite some time ago
to be more tolerant with regard to local and regional language varieties. In
other words, teachers no longer correct students (pupils) at every turn but
permit use of local varieties. You will notice that even media reporters'
language comes in quite some variety, as does the English of people
interviewed, why, even that of members of the House of Commons. You are not
necessarily considered poorly educated by everyone if you don't speak
"posh," and not speaking "posh" may even allow you to win more hearts. You
may have noticed (even though you may be too young) that class distinctions
and stigmas are melting away in Britain, and the more relaxed linguistic
atmosphere may well be one of the signs of this.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

BBC journalist David Dimbleby, in a recent program about landscape painting,
dug out some old footage of himself and friends rock-climbing in the Lake
District in the 1950's, with his voice-over.  He mocked his own accent of
that time, the accepted BBC nasal "upper class", which almost nobody speaks
anymore.  The Queen herself speaks completely differently from the time of
the Coronation.  The most notable thing is the "a" sound in words such as *
hat* or *cat*, which "Upper Class" people once pronounced *het* and *cet*.
The vowel has moved back to the Northern position. Ironically the sound was
shared with "Lower Class" Cockneys and Londoners in general - who largely
retain it, along with most Australians and New Zealanders.

Paul Finlow-Bates

----------

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Language varieties

Thanks, Paul.

I have noticed marked changes in the ways the Queen and several of her
family members speak. Old footage is indeed a great way of being reminded of
it. There seem to have been several phases or stages. (Remember the "pound"
[p_haMnd] or [p_haInd] phases?) This makes me wonder if this is a case of
"natural" evolution or of periodic coaching.

Aside from, or rather concurrent with the relaxation in education, there
have been the influences of the media in which plays feature "real"
varieties of "real" people from all over the country. I'm sure this has been
removing quite a few prejudices and inhibitions, and more people may have
begun to actually appreciate this type of diversity as interesting and
enriching.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

•

==============================END===================================

 * Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.

 * Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.

 * Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.

 * Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l")

   are to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at

   http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.

*********************************************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/lowlands-l/attachments/20071126/2fcc30d3/attachment.htm>