Example linguistics dissertation topic 9:

An analysis of ‘character class’ through speech: Hyacinth Bouquet and Onslow in Keeping up Appearances.

The class pretensions of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) in the BBC’s Keeping Up Appearances are well known and contrast directly with those of her brother-in-law Onslow. Dressed – if at all, in little more than a string-vest and with a seemingly never-ending supply of booze and fags – the social stereotyping involved in the series is a central element of the show’s humour. Through transcribing the conversations that take place between Hyacinth and Onslow in four episodes of the show, this dissertation comments on the use of language deployed by each character.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Campbell-Kibler, K. (2007). ‘Accent, (ING), and the social logic of listener perceptions’, American Speech, Vol. 82(1), pp. 32-64.
• Geraghty, C. (1994). Women and soap opera: A study of prime time soaps. Bristol/Oxford: Polity Press/Blackwell.
• Guntler, B. (1995). Television and gender representation. New Barnet: John Libbey & Company.