Reinforcement of cultural and social stereotypes conveyed through character accents in Shrek
... They are able to perceive and determine the social variations of others without having any real personal experience with socially diverse groups. ... While some stereotyping of characters in children’s television programs and film is necessary in order to establish characterization, those in the American film industry often exploit the impressionable minds of children by inserting their stereotypes and beliefs into the characters they create. In English with an Accent, author Rosina Lippi-Green hypothesizes that in some cases, accents are used as a “shortcut for those roles where stereotype serves as a shortcut to characterization (84).” Following in Lippi-Green’s theory, the characters in Shrek indoctrinate the language ideology that MUSE is better than any other language through their accents, lexicon, syntax and morphology. ... released Shrek, an entirely computer animated feature-length film, in the summer of 2001. ... Briefly summarized, the plot of Shrek consists of a love story, a frienship story, the discovery of inner beauty and the consequences accompanied with defying love, frienship and beauty. Shrek, the film’s main character, is a green ogre, who lives in solitude in a swamp until one day, the ruler of the land orders that all fairy-tale creatures must be disposed of. Seeking refuge, hundreds of these creatures arrive at Shrek’s swamp in hopes that Shrek will be able to speak to the ruler, Lord Farquaad, and get them their homes back. Shrek confronts Farquaad, and they make a deal to ensure that Shrek will be able to live in peace and quiet, and Farquaad will obtain a princess to marry. ... Being of short stature and less than adventurous, Farquaad employees Shrek to rescue the object of his affection, Princess Fiona, from her dragon-guarded castle and deliver her to him, whereupon receipt, Farquaad will rid Shrek’s swamp of the fairy tale creatures presently residing in it. Shrek accepts the challenge and, with his unwelcome sidekick, Donkey, close on his heels, they set off to rescue Princess Fiona. Shrek accomplishes the first part of his mission by rescuing Princess Fiona, only to discover, as the three of them are returning to DuLoc, Lord Farquaad’s land, that he has fallen in love with Fiona and is reluctant to turn her over to Farquaad.