According to Rosina Lippi-Green, when hearing linguistic variants, the mind subconsciously creates social groupings- and among these social groupings are social classes within society (2011). I agree with Lippi-Green’s claim and wanted to determine whether the TV show, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, exhibits different social standings of characters through language variation. I expect there to be obvious language variants seen on the show between those members of the higher society and those in the lower class. Examining the relationship between linguistic variants and the social class of characters on the show provides insight into the actuality that this trend of subconscious social grouping carries over into everyday society.
In order to …show more content…
For example, when looking at a three minute clip, Will displays an absence of copulas three times. In a deeper interpretation, this linguistic variation appears numerous times within a serious and sophisticated context. For example, Uncle Phil is lecturing Will about being a problem in his household and Will confidently defends himself. Even in a more genuine situation rather than his usual jokes, Will refrains from speaking in a more formal manner that corresponds with the sophistication of the situation. The inability to carry over maturity and responsibility from the situational context to the use of language depicts a profound lack of education and formality that is required daily within the social world of the upper class. This lack of education is the difference between Will being socially accepted into a more prestigious social standing and remaining at the lower level of social sophistication where he currently resides. Furthermore, Woolard believes that the formal institution of the school, “establishes the authority and legitimacy of the most highly valued linguistic and cultural forms of legitimacy” (1985). Although linguistic knowledge is reproduced through familial institutions, the school system plays a more significant role in the understanding of linguistic legitimacy. Due to the concentration of linguistic knowledge, there is a …show more content…
With a more serious and mature conversation, it is understandable, expected even, that a member of the upper class would speak in a standardized, proper form. However, in a humorous situation, it is unnecessary to remain as formal as what’s required in more mature contexts. Although maintaining composure linguistically is optional in this context, Uncle Phil remains formal and mature in a two minute casual, joking scene. While being formal in a serious context is expected from the upper class, showing formality in relaxed situations shows an engrained understanding and respect for the language. Since the character is maintaining linguistic sophistication, it provides insight into the standards that upper class citizens are held to. Moreover, maintaining proper social composure in interactions is a crucial part of being part of the upper class. Because Will is unable to speak in a sophisticated manner regardless of circumstance, it deepens the claim that his linguistic presence in interactions can depict his social
In order to …show more content…
For example, when looking at a three minute clip, Will displays an absence of copulas three times. In a deeper interpretation, this linguistic variation appears numerous times within a serious and sophisticated context. For example, Uncle Phil is lecturing Will about being a problem in his household and Will confidently defends himself. Even in a more genuine situation rather than his usual jokes, Will refrains from speaking in a more formal manner that corresponds with the sophistication of the situation. The inability to carry over maturity and responsibility from the situational context to the use of language depicts a profound lack of education and formality that is required daily within the social world of the upper class. This lack of education is the difference between Will being socially accepted into a more prestigious social standing and remaining at the lower level of social sophistication where he currently resides. Furthermore, Woolard believes that the formal institution of the school, “establishes the authority and legitimacy of the most highly valued linguistic and cultural forms of legitimacy” (1985). Although linguistic knowledge is reproduced through familial institutions, the school system plays a more significant role in the understanding of linguistic legitimacy. Due to the concentration of linguistic knowledge, there is a …show more content…
With a more serious and mature conversation, it is understandable, expected even, that a member of the upper class would speak in a standardized, proper form. However, in a humorous situation, it is unnecessary to remain as formal as what’s required in more mature contexts. Although maintaining composure linguistically is optional in this context, Uncle Phil remains formal and mature in a two minute casual, joking scene. While being formal in a serious context is expected from the upper class, showing formality in relaxed situations shows an engrained understanding and respect for the language. Since the character is maintaining linguistic sophistication, it provides insight into the standards that upper class citizens are held to. Moreover, maintaining proper social composure in interactions is a crucial part of being part of the upper class. Because Will is unable to speak in a sophisticated manner regardless of circumstance, it deepens the claim that his linguistic presence in interactions can depict his social