Tresch, Laura Alessandra (2018). The First Duty in Life is to be as Authentic as Possible? Language Ideologies and Authenticity in Contexts of Dialect Contact. (Thesis). Universität Bern, Bern

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Abstract

In this dissertation, I investigate the language ideologies underlying the development and legitimisation of (relatively new) English varieties that have emerged through contact, as they are embedded within their socio-geographical and sociolinguistic history. Some specific metalinguistic debates will be selected for special examination. I therefore attempt to identify the most salient political, social and cultural debates about language that have shaped and have been shaped by metalinguistic discourses. The English varieties on which this investigation is focused are: New Zealand English and – what I have labelled – (some of) the 'enregistered non-standard contact varieties of the south east of England' (i.e. 'Estuary English', 'Multicultural London English' or 'Jafaican', and 'Mockney'). New (colonial) linguistic varieties – such as koinés – have presented a serious challenge to ideas about 'legitimate' languages and dialects, as traditionally geographical stasis and immobility were considered fundamental to concepts like identity or authenticity. In the context of decolonisation and increasing globalisation, however, positive attitudes to linguistic diversity as a consequence of mobility and language contact have become fortified. The main purpose of this investigation is thus to examine the language ideologies that have shaped and underlain these discourses (e.g. discussions about the appropriateness of New Zealand English vis à vis external, British models of language) and their related practices in public discourses (mainly media and educational discourses). Notions of authenticity have turned out to be central in these metadiscourses. The main questions addressed are thus: a) How are these contact English varieties legitimised and authenticated, and how are other varieties – within the same metadiscourse – 'delegitimised' and 'deauthenticated'?; b) How do these (de/)legitimisation and (de/)authentication practices interact with discourses of nation building and (local) discursive identity construction?; c) Did these (de/)legitimisation and (de/)authentication practices change over time, and if yes how did they change – and possibly – why?

Item Type:	Thesis
Dissertation Type:	Single
Date of Defense:	2 October 2018
Subjects:	400 Language > 420 English & Old English languages
Institute / Center:	06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Linguistics and Literary Studies > Institute of English Languages and Literatures
Depositing User:	Hammer Igor
Date Deposited:	06 May 2021 10:35
Last Modified:	11 May 2021 06:23
URI:	https://boristheses.unibe.ch/id/eprint/2699

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