"Basically." "Literally." "Girl…!"
The English words pronounced with a broad American accent appear frequently when friends Synne, Maksymilian, and Rania talk in the garden after school. They are 12 years old and spend a lot of time on YouTube and Netflix, in addition to gaming and being on Pinterest.
Much of their conversation is in English. They are currently too young for social media.
- I actually speak American English the most. But if I want to joke around, I speak like British English, says Rania. They still think it's fine if others speak British English.
The mood in the garden rises when the friends imitate accents, especially accents from Texas and The Southern United States. They also imitate British and Australian accents.
- The reason I speak English a lot is because of a YouTuber named "Lazye." He's really funny but not very good at English, says Synne. Maksymilian says that he and his friends play Roblox together, and that he writes in English with the other players.
- But if I call someone, I'll speak Norwegian, he says.
Young people mostly hear American English
- American English in films and on YouTube is perceived as normal and accordingly as a "correct" form of English pronunciation. British English is still associated with prestige and the upper class.
This finding is stated by Ulrikke Rindal, associate professor at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research at the University of Oslo.
She researches English language learning and has recently interviewed sixth- and tenth graders about how they use English and their perceptions of the language.
- The pupils I interviewed want to speak American English because it's what they hear most often and are most familiar with. And if they speak American English, they are perceived as proficient in English because that's how English should be spoken. But they don't associate the accent with American culture. It's completely separate," says Rindal.
The pupils say they watch series, game, watch movies, and read books in English.
Facts about how English-language media shape young people's language use
- Today, standard American English has become the "default" to speak because young people hear a lot of American English on YouTube, TikTok, and Netflix.
- Previously, British English was the ideal in schools.
- They see American as neutral, while British is often perceived as a bit "posh" or something used to play around or entertain.
- The current study is based on data from the STAGE research project, which deals with how young people learn English outside of school.
- The findings are published in the article "You do you: English-language media influence in the everyday linguistic repertoires of young Norwegians", written by Ulrikke Rindal.
British English is trying too hard
- British English still has the same status as elevated, academic, and nice, but it is less common among young people. It is a more active choice to use this accent. The pupils I spoke with say that British English is "try-hard," meaning it's for those who try too hard, says Rindal. A bit like how they speak in the TV series Bridgerton.
At the same time, young people associate this way of speaking with prestige. When King Charles visited The White House this spring, Donald Trump described his accent as "beautiful."
- This way of speaking English still has a historical allure. Admittedly from the colonial era when England took over the world by force, says Rindal.
Her previous research shows that British English is what used to be taught in schools, and those who spoke it got good grades. But even then, British English was perceived as try-hard.
- The pupils I spoke with now say "You do you", speak British English and be yourself. At the same time, phrases like this are often used ironically and somewhat derogatorily, says the researcher.
English as an everyday language and a "toolbox"
Rindal says that for many people, English has become an everyday language.
- The pupils use it not only to communicate but also to express who they are through the language. In the same way as they do in Norwegian, says Rindal. Back in the garden with Synne and her friends, we get an example.
- I speak to my friend in English and as a character. There are characters we've created that have different accents. We call them OC, Original Character. Sometimes I can switch between characters all of a sudden, explains Synne.
- British English is so "cringe"! exclaims Maksymilian as he tries to imitate the accent.
Rindal says that in her research, she sees that some actively use English in identity work, like Synne in the example above.
- For those who actively use English, the language becomes a kind of "toolbox" to play roles. For example, they might pretend to make a makeup video. One of the girls I spoke with stood in front of the mirror and said, "Hello, welcome to my channel," because she had seen it on YouTube. Or they imitate the accent in Bridgerton to feel elegant, says the researcher.
But not everyone puts as much into their English use.
- There is a developmental process happening for the language right now. For some of those I spoke with, English is just something they speak during English class. For example, "Andrew" says it's fine to sound Norwegian when speaking English because it can signal that he might need help with the language, explains Rindal.
Rania and her friends are also concerned that their English should sound good and that they don't use a Norwegian accent. However, she still emphasizes that Norwegian is the most important.
- I'd rather speak perfect Norwegian because I live in Norway and because I feel that I know enough English to get by, says Rania.
Rindal emphasizes the importance of pupils being aware of their linguistic repertoire. - What do I need to know? Why do I need English and how do I get there? English teachers can help young people reflect on this. Then they will become more aware of what skills they need to develop further, says Rindal.
Source
"You do you: English-language media influence in the everyday linguistic repertoires of young Norwegians" by Ulrikke Rindal.
