Accent and Identity in Ambridge: The Link between How We Speak and Who We Are

Abstract

This chapter explores the fascinating relationship between the way we speak (our accents) and who we are (our identities) by investigating the ways in which accent is used in The Archers in the process of characterisation. It begins by describing the link between accent and identity in everyday life, arguing for a perspective in which the way we speak is seen as contributing to the active performance of our identities rather than something through which our identities are passively reflected. The main part of the chapter describes two small studies into the ways in which The Archers both uses and reinforces existing language-based stereotypes in order to help in its presentation of clear and recognisable characters.

Citation

Drummond, R. (2021), "Accent and Identity in Ambridge: The Link between How We Speak and Who We Are", Headlam, N. and Courage, C. (Ed.) Flapjacks and Feudalism, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 149-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-386-420211001