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The Role Accent Plays in the Evaluations of 'Native Speakerness' by "Native Speakers" of American English

Kalugampitiya, Nandaka M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338398000

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Linguistics (Arts and Sciences).
With the broader aim of providing insights into the notion of ‘native speaker’, the study explored the role accent played in the evaluations of ‘native speakerness’ by “native speakers” of American English. The study collected data from 173 Ohio University undergraduates using a structured questionnaire deployed online and semi-structured focus group interviews. Based on the findings of the research, the study claims that there are no logical/scientific bases for the concept of ‘native speaker’ and the ‘native’/‘nonnative speaker’ dichotomy. The findings confirm the assumption that the ‘native speaker’ concept is more a political and ideological concept than a linguistic concept. While establishing that the ‘native’/‘nonnative speaker’ dichotomy conceals more intense forms of division and discrimination in society, the study emphasizes the need for more studies that aim at deconstructing the ‘native speaker’ concept in order to invalidate the said dichotomy.
Peter Githinji, PhD (Committee Chair)
Christopher Thompson, PhD (Committee Member)
Ludmila Marchenkova, PhD (Committee Member)
121 p.
English As A Second Language; Language; Linguistics; Social Psychology; Social Structure; Sociolinguistics
Native Speaker; Native Speakerness; Native Speaker and Nonnative Speaker Dichotomy; Accent Perception; Language Based Discrimination; Language Attitudes

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kalugampitiya, N. M. (2012). The Role Accent Plays in the Evaluations of 'Native Speakerness' by "Native Speakers" of American English [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338398000

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kalugampitiya, Nandaka. The Role Accent Plays in the Evaluations of 'Native Speakerness' by "Native Speakers" of American English. 2012. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338398000.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kalugampitiya, Nandaka. "The Role Accent Plays in the Evaluations of 'Native Speakerness' by "Native Speakers" of American English." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338398000

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1338398000
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.