ABSTRACT
Chapter 5 offers an extensive critical discussion of the study findings in relation to the seven hypotheses introduced earlier in the book. It begins with a comprehensive discussion of the central theme of this book: English nationals’ implicit and explicit attitudes towards Northern English and Southern English speech in terms of status and social attractiveness. There then follows a discussion of the influence of the selected individual differences investigated upon the English nationals’ implicit and explicit attitudes. The chapter continues with an in-depth examination of the relationship between the participants’ implicit and explicit evaluations, with a particular focus on any evidence of implicit-explicit attitudinal discrepancy (IED). From the evidence uncovered, this section considers the direction of, and the specific groups who may leading, language attitude change in progress in England. Moreover, in light of the study findings, the chapter considers the methodological and theoretical value of the study for (socio)linguists and (social) psychologists. Finally, a discussion of the study limitations and suggestions for future research, both inside and outwith England, is offered.
