Accent Variation in Indian English: A Folk Linguistic Study

This is the first major sociolinguistic work on Indian diasporic communities in Germany. It investigates accent perceptions and attitudes to variation in Indian varieties of English. The study shows how differences in phonological characteristics index ethnic identities. Based on a network approach, it establishes the spatial dimensions of patterns of perceived language variation with a stratified sample of 60 Indians. The study uses an innovative mixed methodology to investigate overt stigmatisations as well as covert attitudes towards accent variation. It shows that metalanguage allows to understand what sociolinguistic stereotypes are at stake in diasporic communities and what criteria are made use of in such discriminations.