Dr Erin Carrie

• Regional


  There is a wealth of accent variation in the UK- both regionally and socially.

  People regularly comment that they can tell where someone is from due to their accent.

  Sociolinguists dedicate their work to describing accents in as much detail and celebrating linguistic diversity.

  Accents play an important role in the performance of our identities and maintaining differences within society

  Helps us maintain a sense of group belonging but also results in us distinguishing ourselves from other groups
• Hierarchies of accent


  'Standard' accents are used by small but very often privileged portions of populations but is typically taught in education and promoted in the media.

  'Non-standard' or regional accents are spoken by the majority of the populations and often associated with those who have a lower social class.