‘Learn Jafaikan in two minutes’ – Multicultural London English, enregisterment and ideology in English newspapers

IF 1.3 2区文学 Q2 COMMUNICATION

Language & Communication Pub Date : 2024-05-10 DOI:10.1016/j.langcom.2024.04.002

Johanna Gerwin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This paper delves into the concept of ‘enregisterment,’ which defines processes and practices linking linguistic repertoires with social meanings, by examining meta-linguistic commentary in newspapers. Focussing on ‘Multicultural London English (MLE),’ the study analyses 200 articles from major British newspapers (2006–2022) qualitatively and quantitatively. The research uncovers recurring linguistic shibboleths, indexically linked social meanings, and prevalent language ideologies concerning MLE and other London dialects. Results reveal a consistent emphasis on specific linguistic shibboleths repeated in articles. Indexical links for ‘MLE’ are constructed through evaluative comments, alarmist metaphors employing xenophobic immigration tropes, and loaded keywords. ‘Cockney’ and ‘Estuary English’ are portrayed more favourably and, together with ‘Received Pronunciation (RP)’, serve to stigmatise MLE. This study underscores the role of media discourse in shaping the enregisterment of dialects, contributing to social stratification and the ‘othering’ of certain linguistic varieties.

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两分钟学会 Jafaikan"--伦敦多元文化英语、注册和英语报纸中的意识形态

本文通过研究报纸中的元语言评论，深入探讨了 "enregisterment "这一概念，它定义了将语言再现与社会意义联系起来的过程和实践。本研究以 "伦敦多元文化英语（MLE）"为重点，对英国主要报纸上的 200 篇文章（2006-2022 年）进行了定性和定量分析。研究揭示了有关 MLE 和其他伦敦方言的反复出现的语言桎梏、与指数相关的社会意义以及流行的语言意识形态。研究结果表明，文章中反复出现的特定语言桎梏始终受到重视。MLE "的索引链接是通过评价性评论、使用仇外移民主题的危言耸听的隐喻以及加载的关键词构建的。对 "Cockney "和 "Estuary English "的描述更为有利，它们与 "Received Pronunciation (RP) "一起，起到了丑化 MLE 的作用。这项研究强调了媒体话语在塑造方言登记方面的作用，有助于社会分层和某些语言品种的 "他者化"。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Language & Communication Multiple-

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

6.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： This journal is unique in that it provides a forum devoted to the interdisciplinary study of language and communication. The investigation of language and its communicational functions is treated as a concern shared in common by those working in applied linguistics, child development, cultural studies, discourse analysis, intellectual history, legal studies, language evolution, linguistic anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, the politics of language, pragmatics, psychology, rhetoric, semiotics, and sociolinguistics. The journal invites contributions which explore the implications of current research for establishing common theoretical frameworks within which findings from different areas of study may be accommodated and interrelated. By focusing attention on the many ways in which language is integrated with other forms of communicational activity and interactional behaviour, it is intended to encourage approaches to the study of language and communication which are not restricted by existing disciplinary boundaries.