Even though language proficiency improves over time naturally, this term paper will try to analyze whether an individual’s Indian English (IndE) will approximate towards the British English Standard due to increased language contact in an international context, especially with regard to the change of pronunciation towards RP. As the person of interest, actress Aishwarya Rai Bacchan, is a native Indian woman who became famous very quickly all over the world, it might be possible to observe a certain development in her language due to the sudden increased contact with English. Due to India’s postcolonial status, the British English variety seems to serve as a model for learners of English in this country, so that this seems to be the right variety to base the analysis on.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Analysis of Aishwarya Rai's use of English with regard to a possible development towards Received Pronunciation
- 1. Introduction of actress Aishwarya Rai Bacchan
- 2. Use of Indian English in India
- 3. Characteristic features of Indian English (vs. Standard English)
- 4. Setting and register of the interviews
- 5. Methodology
- 6. Discussion of results
- 6.1. Analysis of the interviews
- 6.2. Comparison with A-rated features in the eWave Atlas
- III. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes whether increased language contact in an international context influences an individual's Indian English (IndE) to approximate British Received Pronunciation (RP), focusing on pronunciation changes. The study uses actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as a case study, examining her language use given her rise to global fame and subsequent increased exposure to English. The analysis considers the postcolonial context of India, where British English serves as a model for English language learners.
- The impact of increased language contact on the pronunciation of Indian English.
- A comparison of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's English pronunciation with RP.
- The role of sociolinguistic factors (education, social class, profession) in shaping IndE pronunciation.
- An examination of the characteristic features of Indian English pronunciation.
- The use of the eWave Atlas as a comparative tool for analyzing pronunciation features.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis. It establishes the research question: whether increased language contact leads to the approximation of Indian English towards British Received Pronunciation (RP), using Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as a case study. The chapter provides background on the postcolonial context of India and the role of English as a lingua franca. It also outlines the structure of the paper, highlighting the methodology and the planned comparison between Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's speech and the features identified in the eWave Atlas of Indian English.
II. Analysis of Aishwarya Rai's use of English with regard to a possible development towards Received Pronunciation: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's English, investigating potential shifts towards RP. It begins with an introduction to the actress, highlighting her background and career trajectory, emphasizing the significant increase in her language contact with English due to her global fame. The chapter then explores the use of Indian English in India, placing it within Schneider's Dynamic Model of Postcolonial Englishes. Subsequently, it examines the characteristic features of Indian English, focusing primarily on pronunciation, and comparing these with RP. The chapter lays the foundation for comparing the actress's speech with the features presented in the eWave Atlas, although the analysis of the interviews and this comparison are outlined as further chapters.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's English: A Case Study in Language Contact and Pronunciation – FAQ
What is the main research question of this term paper?
The paper investigates whether increased language contact in an international context influences an individual's Indian English (IndE) to approximate British Received Pronunciation (RP), focusing on pronunciation changes. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan serves as a case study.
Who is the subject of this case study?
The case study focuses on actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, examining how her increased global exposure and subsequent language contact with English have potentially influenced her pronunciation.
What is the context of this study?
The study is set within the postcolonial context of India, where British English serves as a model for English language learners. It considers the impact of this historical relationship on contemporary language use.
What aspects of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's English are analyzed?
The analysis focuses primarily on pronunciation, comparing her speech to features of both Indian English and Received Pronunciation (RP).
What methodology is used in this study?
The methodology involves analyzing interviews with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The results are then compared with features identified in the eWave Atlas of Indian English, a tool used to analyze pronunciation variations.
What are the key themes explored in this term paper?
Key themes include the impact of increased language contact on Indian English pronunciation, a comparison of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's pronunciation with RP, the role of sociolinguistic factors (education, social class, profession), characteristic features of Indian English pronunciation, and the utilization of the eWave Atlas as a comparative tool.
What are the main chapters and their content?
Chapter I: Introduction provides background information, establishes the research question, and outlines the paper's structure. Chapter II: Analysis of Aishwarya Rai's use of English presents a detailed analysis of her speech, comparing it to RP and discussing characteristic features of Indian English. Chapter III: Conclusion summarizes the findings.
What is the eWave Atlas, and how is it used in this study?
The eWave Atlas is a database used to analyze and compare pronunciation features of different varieties of English. In this study, it serves as a benchmark for comparing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's pronunciation with established features of Indian English.
What are the characteristic features of Indian English (IndE) that are considered?
The paper examines specific pronunciation features of Indian English, comparing them to those of Received Pronunciation (RP) to assess potential shifts in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's speech towards the latter.
What are the sociolinguistic factors considered in this study?
The study takes into account factors such as education, social class, and profession as they might influence Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's use of English and its proximity to RP.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Olga Schäfer (Autor:in), 2014, Approximation of Indian English towards British RP due to increased language contact, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/283221
