Abstract

The social structure of a community has a significant influence on one's social network and identity. For instance, cohorts with multiple similarities in their social structure, especially those in low-status communities that are socially isolated, tend to have similar dialectal features (e.g., Chambers, 2003; Lippi-Green, 1989; Milroy, 1982). This study investigates the social and linguistic factors that contribute to the stratification of the voiced interdental /ð/ (a marker in Labovian terms) in the Battery, a small community outside of 81. John's, Newfoundland. Once a small fishing community known to be socially marginalized and segregated, the Battery is today a highly sought after area characterized by rampant development and expensive real estate, while still retaining some of its fishing village charm. This study adopts a variationist methodology for data collection and analysis, employing standard sociolinguistic interview protocols across a stylistic hierarchy to investigate the variable production of /ð/ and its less prestigious variant [d]. Results of the multivariate analysis (via Goldvarb X) demonstrate that there is possibly an intergenerational dialect shift with an increase in the use of the more prestigious variant [ð] from the older to the younger Battery natives. In addition, the results indicate a social stratification of /ð/ between members of the younger generation: Those still residing in the Battery pattern similarly to the older Battery natives in their use of the low-status identity marker [d], whereas those living outside of the community use the form significantly less. The results also reveal that there is significant variation in the use of /ð/ based on gender and style. The linguistic constraints that affect the variable production of /ð/ include word class and manner of articulation.