Homogeneity as a sociolinguistic motive in Canadian English

• Published in: World Englishes Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 467 - 477
• Main Author: CHAMBERS, J. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Canada; English language; Homogeneity; Middle Class; Regional Differences; Sociolinguistics; Urban Areas; Canada
• ISSN: 0883-2919; 1467-971X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-971X.2012.01774.x

A comparative sociolinguistic study of a nation‐wide change in Canada in the 1980s led to the unexpected conclusion that the forces that brought about the homogeneity of inland, urban, middle‐class Canadian English were still functioning. Claims for homogeneity (starting in 1951) had previously been impressionistic, but now more rigorous methods give credence to homogeneity as a sociolinguistic motive by revealing virtually identical progress of incipient sound changes in widely separated urban areas. Sociophonetic studies and real time studies corroborate the persistence of homogeneity in this change. More recent studies shed further light on homogeneity as a sociolinguistic motive. Homogeneity is obviously a form of standardization. Both essentially lead to loss (or levelling) of regional differences. I make the case for homogeneity as a sub‐type of standardization, arguing from distinguishable sociolinguistic attributes in lexical and grammatical changes. Homogeneity appears to be a sociolinguistic motive in some changes to this day.