A quick overview of some of the key theories that look at whether our language use is influenced by our social class.

1. Language Variation Language and Social Class

2. The Royle Family

3. Keeping up appearances

4. So what is social class?

9. Picture 1

10. Picture 2

11. Picture 3

12. Picture 4

13. A possible story Comments? They're playing football and he kicks it and it goes through there and it breaks it and they're looking at it and he comes out and shouts at them and they run off.

14. A second version Three boys are playing football and one boy kicks the ball and it goes through the window. The ball breaks the window and the boys are looking at it. A man comes out and shouts at them because they've broken the window so they run away.

20. Is there a God? You know, like some people say if you’re good an’ shit, your spirit goin’ to heaven, n if you bad, your spirit goin’ to hell. Well bullshit! Your spirit goin’ to hell anyway, good or bad. ‘Cause, you see, doesn’t nobody really know that it’s a God, y’know, ‘cause I mean I’ve seen black gods, pink gods, white gods, all colour gods, and don’t nobody know it’s really a God. An’ when they be sayin’ if you good, you goin’ to heaven, that’s bullshit, ‘cause you ain’t goin’ to heaven, ‘cause it ain’t no heaven for you to go to. Recorded in New York 1969

22. Petyt’s study Bradford

23. Petyt’s findings… Socio-economic group h-dropping UMC 12% LMC 28% UWC 67% MWC 89% LWC 93%

24. Line chart of Petyt’s findings

26. Trudgill’s study Norwich

27. Trudgill’s findings for /ng/

31. Labov’s Findings… 32% 30% 31% 20% 17% 4% Sacks Macy’s S.Klein All ‘r’ producing Some ‘r’ producing

33. Cheshire’s study Reading

36. Cheshire’s findings…