The Cockney Accent : How an Accent Can Represent Social Identity

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine how an accent can represent social identity in London and beyond, as well as to uncover the distinctive phonological and lexical characteristics of the Cockney accent. The study will also focus on its sociolinguistic status, such as the intelligible for non-native speakers and the prejudices which are associated with the accent and its correlation to social class. The primary research is conducted with the help of seven interviews with native Swedish speakers to acquire their understanding of Cockney accent. The main findings of the study are that most participants had prejudices against Cockney accent, as well as other accents. All of the participants associated Cockney accent with lower class or working class people. However, there was a contrast between the younger interviewees and the older interviewees in the way they associate accents to certain social groups.