The dialect stereotypes of schoolchildren and teachers in the Bay Roberts area of Newfoundland

Abstract

This study investigated speech stereotypes, in a school context, in two non-standard dialect speaking communities in the Conception Bay North region of Newfoundland. The sample group of 100 respondents represented three level's of age/education. A modified matched-guise (verbal guise) technique was implemented to assess attitudes to four English dialects, two standard and two non-standard. Respondents were asked to evaluate taped speakers with respect to personality traits and in terms of the suitability of their speech types to different speech situations. -- The results revealed clear stereotyped preferences for standard dialect speakers on prestige-related evaluations and for formal speech situations. On solidarity-related evaluations and for informal speech situations, non-standard speakers received fairly positive evaluations. Speakers of an external standard dialect, however, often were preferred again on these scales. Ratings on pejorative scales revealed a general reluctance by the sample to award negative judgments, particularly to speakers of local non-standard dialects. -- Respondent age proved to be a differentiating factor in attitudinal discriminations. The community backgrounds and sex of respondents were less obvious determining factors in attitudinal differences. -- The findings are related to the educational situation in Newfoundland.