Notes and Discussion

Abstract

It has been asserted in the literature that the recognition of speech takes place not because of phonemic distinctions only. There are many phonetic cues to a particular distinction that are located right outside the segment with which the distinction is usually associated. It has been claimed that these allophonic variations are not only important for maintaining phonemic distinctions, but are also important for the purposes of social acceptability. This paper argues that the question of social acceptability is not a linguistic issue; it has rather become an issue of social identity.Brought to you by |