Sociolinguistic Perspectives on English Phonetic Dialects: A Case Study of My Fair Lady

Abstract

The study provides a sociolinguistic analysis of British English dialects, focusing on the phonetic variations depicted in the film My Fair Lady. It reveals how dialects and accents serve as indicators of social class and mobility, as illustrated by the character Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from Cockney to Received Pronunciation (RP). Key findings include the impact of phonetic features, such as vowel shifts and consonant omissions, on social perception and the role of intonation and grammar in signaling social status. The research underscores the significance of language as a tool for social ascent and the complex interplay between linguistic authenticity and societal expectations. The study’s outcomes contribute to the understanding of language variation as a reflection of and influence on social dynamics.