In English class we having been evaluating the idea that language is determined by your friends- and I have taken a special interest.
Me and my twin brother (A) have been raised (pretty much) exactly the same. We have always lived together, went to school together, and, until fairly recently, always been in each others classes in school. However, me and A have always had different friend groups...and as a result of this, we sound VERY different from each other!
Everything from our choices of slang words to how we articulate our linguistic decisions- me and my brother are polar opposites.
When it comes to language, I think that there are multiple different factors that affect how we speak, for example: your gender, age, job, location and - of course - the people who you surround yourself with the most... your friends!
In my opinion reader, I believe that it is the social groups that we associate with, that have the biggest influence on the way in which we articulate ourselves through language choices.
Jenny Cheshire is a British sociolinguist who - through long term investigation - observed the connection between the grammatical decisions that we make, and the people that we hang out with.
She found her results by studying a group of school-aged boys and girls and she found a clear distinction in the children, that allowed her to split them into to separate groups: group 'a' and group 'b'
Group 'a' where happy to engage in more negative topics (fighting, swearing, weapon handling) and where more likely to use variables such as 'non standard S' ('they calls me names') and double negation ('it ain't got no'.)
Group 'b' on the other hand, would avoid these taboo topics in general conversation, and would stick to a more standard way of speaking.
So, readers, I think that this study backs up the idea that language is determined (or at least heavily influenced) by the people that we surround ourselves with.
An argument that would suggest that language is NOT in fact determined by our social groups, could be found within the research of 'Lesley Milroy.'
Her study took place in Belfast, and suggests that it is not social groups that determine our language, but actually how integrated we are within those social groups or "networks."
Milroy discovered that those in closed networks with dense connections where more likely to confirm to a non-standard way of speaking due to the established intimacy and closeness. However, those in open networks had a tendency to use overt prestige mote frequently, because they where uncertain of the people around them.
So, reader, what do you think?
Do you agree that language is determined by our friends? Or do you think that there are other factors involved that influence us even more?
Have a think about it, analyse your own speech or compare it with others!
Maybe you'll find something really interesting! :)
Speak soon,
-Freya <3
Comments