Regional Identity

Hello Everyone! In lesson today we focused on Regional Identity and what it was all about!

Some thoughts on Regional Identity are that...

• It involves stereotyping in places of 'real' experience.
• Although, people (on the receiving end) are generally more compatible with regional stereotypes than racial stereotypes- however they can still cause offence.  
• Some regions/areas arguably are more affected by negative stereotypes.

Our own Identity tends to be more noticeable when a person is out of their comfort zone, For example going to live abroad in a completely different country, people are more likely to point out differences about you. 
Exam Tip!
When writing in a exam it is probably better to use words like 'regional dialect' or 'received pronunciation' instead of things like 'posh'.

We watched a clip from the TV program 'Doc Martin' and were asked to make notes on the regional Identity used.

• The mise-en-scene shows the region to be very country related, it is near the sea and surrounded by cliffs showing it to be quite a small place and a small community.
• The buildings are small in size and compact showing it may be a old town so the people living there may be proud of their heritage.
• The gentleman with the stereotypical farmers accent doesn't seem bothered that the sink is broken, as he Is just sat there eating and drinking while others are working around him.
• He also can't put a sentence together he keeps saying two words and pausing, showing people from that region as uneducated. This is shown through the main character (Doc Martin) responding with a sarcastic comment of "treat yourself to a noun" showing he is educated. 
• Further on in the clip the main character comes across a middle-aged lady who speaks with 'received pronunciation' and says "you may be just what this community needs" showing she thinks she knows best for everyone because she may be better educated. 
• The use of the word "skulking" shows regional dialect of that area.