Theoretical Points

Sociolinguistics, as the name suggests, is the study of language that considers social aspects. It is concerned with how language is used and who uses it, where and when, for this use is altered by those external elements (extra-linguistic factors). In short, it studies language in use.

Another important aspect in Sociolinguistics is the concept of variation and change within a language. Scholars usually distinguish internal and external factors that are behind these processes. Sometimes – and the case of Cockney included – external factors override the systemic ones, . Some independent variables regarded as devices for language variation and change. These are, for example, age, gender, ethnicity, stylistic variation, geographic position, etc.

Many linguists have observed the change in linguistic variables that are frequently in contact. Whether internally motivated (systemic changes) or externally motivated (speakers voluntarily adopt features found in other varieties), it has been conventionally agreed that accent convergence as an desire to form a standard.

According to Harald Nodtvedt, studies have shown that accent variation is more and more influenced by non-standard varieties, and in the case of London, most of these changes seem to stand for the non-standard varieties of South-Eastern England. This extensive spread of non-stander features has led to a process of dialect levelling of many regional accents in England.

The process of dialect levelling can be explained as the extension or reduction of specific variants. These can be geographically marked or socially marked forms. Cockney features follow these two patterns.

This process is similar to the one of speech accommodation. When two language varieties meet, this process occurs as interlocutors, while interacting, tend to converge linguistically. Over a period of time, this may lead to a long period accommodation, and then changes  may happen.

The main conditions for speech accommodation (and also dialect levelling) to take place are increased mobility of speakers and language contact in face to face interaction. Geographic mobility is, thus, deeply linked to the sociolinguistic theory, in which external factors contribute to changes and variations in language.

Another important criteria is the willingness to adopt features regarded as appealing at some level. Adolescents, for example, considered the main operators of language variation and change, are influenced by various ways, not just mobility and face to face interaction (these, in fact, are the least likely to them). The media is an important factor in their adoption of specific forms. In a double direction flux, the media also tries to please this public, for it represents a large niche of consumers.

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