The Politics of Language

UP and Accents

by

Will Courtney, Patrick Redrick, Sejeong Lee

1/25/16

 

  1. Language varieties in the film: What are the language varieties used in this film? And which characters are associated with which variety? Do the language varieties and accents in the film simply reflect the actors’ own manners of speaking?
    1. Russel–Old Man, Regional American Ed Asner Old man, Carl–Nine, General American, reflects being young ,Doug the Dog–Dog, General (interchangeable)
  2. Context and Choices: Modern day time setting, features really old and rather young main characters. With characters, each voice actor is very similar to their animated characters.
  3. The varieties don’t necessarily build characters but they do get across a stereotype in the beginning. Russell,  the older man character has a gruffer, new york style accent, making him seem at first as a stereotypical grumpy old man. There is not much diversity in the film race or ethnicity wise.
  4. In relation to the Lippi-Green Analysis, the language is fairly unremarkable. However, the lack of diversity within the film and seemingly colonial plot is something to consider.