A2 Coursework

Sociological studies have shown that women are more likely to use linguistic forms thought to be ‘better’ or more ‘correct’ than those used by men. Trudgill (1983) provides two reasons for this. Firstly, women in our society are generally more status-conscious than men, and therefore more sensitive to linguistic norms- an idea known as hyper-correction. Secondly, “working-class speech…has connotations of or associations with masculinity, which may lead men to be more favorably disposed to non-standard linguistic forms than women.” (p. 87). This lower-class, non-standard linguistic variety has been defined by sociolinguist W. Labov as covert prestige. Linked to social class, the differences in how men and women gain, or attempt to gain status through opposing speech patterns is noticeable. In my sample, I find two cases in which the woman has self-corrected herself as a show of sensitivity toward standard speech, while the men show no such effort. According to Montgomery, self-correction can be defined as the various ways utterances are reworked in the process of uttering them.

46. Jody: Ummm. I have to do gas…uh…call Mira and get them to do the gas…uhh…electricity…water…What else is there? I don’t know. 10 53. Jody: Telephone. Everything has to be about six. I mean…I get six bills every month…so I guess all the bills have to be… Studies in hyper-correction and covert prestige are generally concerned with sex in relation to social class. (For example, Trudgill 1972, 1983; Macaulay 1977; Milroy 1980; Nichols 1983). In my recorded sample, however, the three participants are of equal social status, all working at the same university as language teachers. I cannot, therefore, make the claim that Jody’s self-corrections are a reflection of being status-conscious. A more likely explanation is that her standard language use stems from the social roles that are expected from men and women, and the behavior patterns that fit those assumptions. As Trudgill states, women’s language is not only different, it is ‘better,’ and is a ‘reflection of the fact that, generally speaking, more ‘correct’ social behavior is expected of women.’ (1983:88)