Linguistic Situation and Language Attitudes in Hawick/Scottish Borders

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Hawick and Southern Scots

2.1. Geography, history and population

2.2. Southern Scots and Braid Haaick

3. Methodology and attitudes

3.1. Attitudes and their measurement

3.2. Questionnaire

3.3. Sample

3.4. Analysis

4. Linguistic situation and language use in Hawick

4.1. Linguistic situation

4.1.1. Status of standard speech and local varieties in general

4.1.2. Regional variation in the Borders

4.1.3. Attitudes towards BBC London English and local speech

4.1.4. Status of local speech versus Standard English

4.1.5. Language change in Hawick and the Borders

4.1.6. Local identity

4.2. Language use and attitudes at Hawick High School

4.2.1. Language use in the school context

4.2.1.1. Pupils

4.2.1.2. Teachers

4.2.2. Attitudes towards the vernacular at school

4.2.2.1. Pupils

4.2.2.2. Teachers

5. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Thematic Scope

This empirical study explores the linguistic situation in the town of Hawick, Scotland, by examining the current attitudes of pupils and teachers toward the local vernacular, known as Southern Scots or Braid Haaick, and analyzing how these attitudes and language usage patterns manifest within the school context at Hawick High School.

• Investigation of the vitality of the Southern Scots dialect in Hawick.
• Evaluation of linguistic attitudes towards local speech versus Standard English.
• Analysis of code-switching behaviors among students and staff in various social settings.
• Examination of the impact of local identity, cultural traditions (e.g., Common Riding), and social variables on language choice.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the author’s motivation for the study, stemming from experiences in the Scottish Borders, and outlines the focus on local dialect and language use in the school context.

2. Hawick and Southern Scots: This section provides a brief socio-historical and linguistic background of Hawick, positioning it within the context of Southern Scots dialects.

3. Methodology and attitudes: This chapter describes the theoretical approach to language attitude research and details the construction and implementation of the questionnaires used for data collection.

4. Linguistic situation and language use in Hawick: The main body of the study presents the data analysis, covering general attitudes towards standard and local varieties, language change, identity, and specific language use and attitudes in the school environment.

5. Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the primary findings of the research, highlighting the relevance of social variables such as age and social class in shaping language attitudes and usage.

Keywords

Southern Scots, Hawick, Braid Haaick, Language Attitudes, Sociolinguistics, Linguistic Situation, School Context, Dialect, Standard English, Language Use, Identity, Scottish Borders, Questionnaire, Social Variables, Code-switching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this research?

The study investigates the linguistic situation in Hawick, specifically exploring how both teachers and students perceive and use the local dialect, Southern Scots, in daily life and within the school environment.

What are the core thematic areas covered in this thesis?

The research covers linguistic identity, language attitudes towards both local vernacular and standard English, the impact of local cultural traditions on speech, and the role of social variables like age, gender, and social class in determining language behavior.

What is the primary objective or research question of this study?

The objective is to document the status of the local vernacular in Hawick and to understand whether and how this dialect persists and is valued within the local High School despite the pressure of Standard English.

Which scientific methods were employed?

The author conducted an empirical field study using questionnaires with both open and closed items, analyzed using statistical methods such as t-tests and ANOVA to evaluate data from pupils and teachers.

What topics are discussed in the main analysis?

The main body examines the status of standard versus local varieties, the perception of dialect change, local identity, and the practical application of language by informants in and out of the classroom.

Which keywords best characterize this research?

Key terms include Southern Scots, Hawick, language attitudes, sociolinguistics, dialect, linguistic identity, and social variables.

What is a "Teri" and why is it important to the study?

A "Teri" is a term for a person born and bred in Hawick. The study investigates how "Teri" identity influences linguistic pride and usage compared to non-native residents.

How does the school environment affect the usage of local dialect?

The study reveals that while teachers and students are generally aware of the code-switching necessary in formal versus informal situations, most teachers encourage Standard English in class, though they do not necessarily display hostility toward the local dialect.