This paper will analyze the various accents in the historical period drama television series Downton Abbey created by Julian Fellowes. The main research question is whether the social class of the series’ characters is reflected in their accents and how these accents mirror their personality. To do so, this study will primarily analyze t-glottalization and h-dropping. I predict that a character’s social class will become apparent through their accent which also relates back to their personality.
The paper will begin with a short theoretical background on how social class and language are linked before giving a brief overview of Downton Abbey and how social class plays a major role in this series. It will then give an overview of features that distinguish class accents, focusing on differences between Received Pronunciation and Northern English accents as Downton Abbey is set in the north. Afterwards, previous research on social class in film by Hodson will be illustrated. Next the methodology and the analysis will follow. First the accents of the two characters Daisy and Mary will be compared by counting the frequency of t-glottalization and h-dropping and the results will be examined. Afterwards, I will look at the same features in Mr. Carson’s pronunciation and interpret the results. Finally I will summarise the findings of this paper.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theory
- 2.1 Language and Social Class
- 2.2 Social Class in Downton Abbey
- 2.3 Differing Features in Northern Accents and RP
- 3. Analysis
- 3.1 Comparison of Lady Mary and Daisy
- 3.2 Mr. Carson
- 4. Methodology
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the accents in the television series Downton Abbey to determine if social class is reflected in the characters' speech and how accent mirrors personality. The study focuses on t-glottalization and h-dropping to investigate the correlation between accent, social class, and character portrayal.
- The relationship between language and social class in Downton Abbey.
- The use of accent to indicate social class and character.
- A comparison of accents between characters of different social classes.
- The analysis of specific phonetic features (t-glottalization and h-dropping).
- The portrayal of regional accents in relation to social class.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the research question: whether social class in Downton Abbey is reflected in the characters' accents and how these accents relate to their personalities. It uses the example of Pygmalion to highlight how accent reveals social background and connects this to the limited research on dialect in film. The chapter outlines the methodology, focusing on t-glottalization and h-dropping as key indicators, and previews the structure of the paper, which involves a theoretical overview of language and social class, a discussion of social class in Downton Abbey, a comparison of Northern accents and Received Pronunciation (RP), and finally, a detailed analysis of specific characters' accents.
2. Theory: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the analysis. Section 2.1 explores the relationship between language and social class, explaining social stratification and how accent variation reflects social class in Britain. It emphasizes the prevalence of Received Pronunciation (RP) among the upper class and the greater regional variation among lower classes. Section 2.2 provides context by describing the setting and social dynamics of Downton Abbey, highlighting the stark class divisions within the estate and noting its Northern English setting. Section 2.3 delves into the phonetic differences between Northern accents and RP, focusing on distinctions in vowel and consonant pronunciation, providing specific examples that will be relevant to the subsequent analysis.
Downton Abbey: Language, Class, and Character – FAQ
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper analyzes the accents in the television series Downton Abbey to determine if social class is reflected in the characters' speech and how accent mirrors personality. The study focuses on t-glottalization and h-dropping to investigate the correlation between accent, social class, and character portrayal.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
The key themes include the relationship between language and social class in Downton Abbey; the use of accent to indicate social class and character; a comparison of accents between characters of different social classes; the analysis of specific phonetic features (t-glottalization and h-dropping); and the portrayal of regional accents in relation to social class.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: 1. Introduction; 2. Theory (including sections on Language and Social Class, Social Class in Downton Abbey, and Differing Features in Northern Accents and RP); 3. Analysis (including sections comparing Lady Mary and Daisy, and focusing on Mr. Carson); and 4. Methodology.
What is covered in the introduction?
The introduction establishes the research question, uses Pygmalion as an example to highlight how accent reveals social background, outlines the methodology (focusing on t-glottalization and h-dropping), and previews the paper's structure.
What theoretical framework is used in the paper?
The theoretical chapter explores the relationship between language and social class, explaining social stratification and how accent variation reflects social class in Britain. It emphasizes Received Pronunciation (RP) among the upper class and greater regional variation among lower classes. It also provides context on the social dynamics of Downton Abbey and details phonetic differences between Northern accents and RP.
Which characters are analyzed in the paper?
The analysis section includes a comparison of Lady Mary and Daisy's accents, and a dedicated analysis of Mr. Carson's accent.
What specific phonetic features are analyzed?
The paper focuses on the analysis of t-glottalization and h-dropping as key indicators of social class and regional variation.
What is the methodology of the research?
The methodology section details the specific approach used to analyze the accents of the selected characters in Downton Abbey. While the specific methods aren't detailed in the preview, the focus is clearly on the phonetic features mentioned earlier.
What is the overall goal of this research?
The overall goal is to demonstrate the connection between language (specifically accent), social class, and character portrayal within the context of Downton Abbey.
- Citar trabajo
- Teresa Schenk (Autor), 2017, Accents in the Historical Period Drama Television Series Downton Abbey, focusing on H-Dropping and T-Glottalisation, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/367661
