Attitudes towards language varieties in Brittany
This thesis investigates the attitudes of young people in Brittany (aged 8-18) towards varieties of language (especially Breton) and the link between language and identity. The sociolinguistic situation in Brittany (past and present) is outlined, and previous research on language attitudes is reviewed. In phase 1 of the project, different informants completed a written questionnaire (470 respondents) and a Matched Guise Test (258 listener-judges), the latter involving Breton, Breton-accented French and Standard-accented French. The questionnaire responses revealed a strong correlation, verified by chi-square tests, between levels of use of Breton and perceptions of identity. Although those respondents from the traditionally Bretonspeaking western part of Brittany (Basse Bretagne) were keen for the language to be preserved, very few were willing to contribute to this process. The respondents from traditionally non Breton-speaking eastern Brittany (Haute Bretagne) were less positive in their views on the future of Breton. The least favourable ratings for the future of Breton were expressed by 15 to 16 year old males, and this was attributed to differences between male and female peer group norms. Breton emerged
Hoare, Rachel
Linguistics
Attitudes towards language varieties in Brittany. This thesis investigates the attitudes of young people in Brittany (aged 8-18) towards varieties of language (especially Breton) and the link between language and identity. The sociolinguistic situation in Brittany (past and present) is outlined, and previous research on language attitudes is reviewed. In phase 1 of the project, different informants completed a written questionnaire (470 respondents) and a Matched Guise Test (258 listener-judges), the latter involving Breton, Breton-accented French and Standard-accented French. The questionnaire responses revealed a strong correlation, verified by chi-square tests, between levels of use of Breton and perceptions of identity. Although those respondents from the traditionally Bretonspeaking western part of Brittany (Basse Bretagne) were keen for the language to be preserved, very few were willing to contribute to this process. The respondents from traditionally non Breton-speaking eastern Brittany (Haute Bretagne) were less positive in their views on the future of Breton. The least favourable ratings for the future of Breton were expressed by 15 to 16 year old males, and this was attributed to differences between male and female peer group norms. Breton emerged
attitudes_towards language_variety investigates attitude young_people age towards variety language especially breton link language identity sociolinguistic_situation past_present outline previous language_attitude review phase project different informant complete write questionnaire respondent matched guise test listener judges latter involve breton breton accented french standard accented french questionnaire_response reveal_strong correlation verify square test level use breton perception identity although respondent traditionally western part keen language preserve willing contribute process respondent traditionally non breton speaking eastern haute less positive view future breton least favourable rating future breton express male attribute difference male_female peer group norm breton emerge