Representations of language and identity among English-speaking Canadians : focus on spelling

Title: Representations of language and identity among English-speaking Canadians : focus on spelling
Author: Albu, Rodica
Source document: The Central European journal of Canadian studies. 2001, vol. 1, iss. [1], pp. 46-53
Extent
46-53
  • ISSN
    2336-4556 (online)
Type: Article
Language
License: Not specified license
 

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Abstract(s)
This article contains the partial results of a sociolinguistic sample survey based on the questionnaire "English in Canada. Representations of Language and Identity", which was administered to 77 respondents in urban Ontario and later statistically processed under SPSS. After presenting the structure, the objectives and the representativity of the questionnaire, the author focuses on the processing and interpretation of data related to Canadian English spelling and discusses the objective data against the subjective evaluation test. This discussion evidences (1) occasional discrepancies between what Canadians think they use and their actual choices and, hence, (2) the needfor national distinctiveness in language usage.
Cet article contient les résultats partiels d'une enquête sociolinguistique opérée sur un échantillon de 77 informateurs de la zone urbaine de l'Ontario, à qui l'on a proposé un questionnaire portant sur "L'Anglais au Canada. Representations sur la langue et identité", processé statistiquement en utilisant SPSS. Après la présentation de la structure, des objectifs et de la représentativité du questionnaire, on s'est fixe sur une zone moins fréquentée par les chercheurs, à savoir l'orthographe, Les données objectives sont confrontées aux tests d'évaluation subjective, ce qui nous a permis de relever certaines divergences entre ce que les locuteurs canadiens pensent de leur langue et la réalisation effective de leur usage. II en résulte la nécessité d'une spécification nationale de leur production langagière.
References
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