The term dialect, particularly when it is used about regional dialects, should not be confused with the term accents, standard English, for example, is spoken in a variety of accents.. 2
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Linguists have debated the role of regional dialect studies within the broader context of language variation Traditional research often emphasizes the geographical distribution of specific words rather than overarching patterns in language organization This emphasis on cartographic representation, rather than linguistic structures, has led some scholars to view regional dialect studies more as a geographical discipline than a linguistic one.
Research on regional language dialects can effectively integrate geographical models and methods with detailed linguistic analysis Linguists have long explored regional dialect diversity to uncover essential insights into language patterns and evolution.
The exploration of regional dialects greatly benefits from the detailed structural analysis offered by linguistic research Recent studies have effectively integrated various models, providing insightful and informative perspectives on language dialects.
So that why I carry out “A study on regional dialects in English.”
Aims of the study
- To find out factors that influence the perceptual distinctiveness and categorization accuracy for regional dialects
- To suggest some strategies for enhancing the knowledge of regional dialects in specific areas.
Research questions
To meet aims, the research needs to answer the two following questions:
1.What factors have an impact on identifying regional dialects in the English language?
2 What are strategies for understanding regional dialects in some areas that English is the main language?
Scope of the study
Regional dialects offer a rich area of study, but the constraints of time and knowledge prevent a comprehensive exploration of all aspects This research emphasizes the key characteristics of English regional dialects.
Methods of the study
Accessing the internet provides a vast source of information and images, allowing for quick and efficient research related to my graduation paper.
- Secondly, data collection from related books and documents also plays an integral part in the research process
- Thirdly, discussion with my supervisor and friends works effectively in the study completion
Design of the study
The study includes four chapters:
This part introduces the rationale, aims, research questions, scope, research methods, and the design of the study
This chapter reviews the theoretical background of every matter mentioned in the study's title related to regional dialects in English
This chapter provides the methods of the study
The last chapter summarizes the main points discussed in the paper, the limitations of the study, and suggestions for further research.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Definition of dialect
Dialect refers to a specific form of a language that is spoken in a particular region, characterized by distinct grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation It is often considered a sub-variety of a single language and is recognized as being used by specific social classes within that region.
Dialect encompasses the structural aspects of a speaker's language, including specific vocabulary, syntactic constructions, and unique methods of expressing negatives, plurals, and tenses (Jackson & Peter, 2011) It is recognized as a variety of language associated with particular regions or social classes, distinguishing it from accent, which solely pertains to pronunciation (Meyerhoff, 2006) While dialects exhibit distinctive features in pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structure, accents are limited to variations in pronunciation alone.
Linguist Edward (2009:63) describes dialects as varieties of language that differ in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (accent) Although dialects stem from the same language, they can be mutually unintelligible For instance, Dutch and German speakers, as well as Mandarin and Cantonese speakers, often struggle to understand one another despite sharing linguistic roots Other examples of mutually unintelligible dialects include Thai and Lao, Hindi and Urdu, and Serbian and Croatian.
Haugen highlights that English speakers have not embraced the term "patois" to describe their language, instead using "language" and "dialect" in conflicting ways The term "dialect" refers to local varieties of English, such as the Yorkshire dialect, as well as informal or rural speech associated with lower social classes Consequently, there is ambiguity in whether these dialects are considered part of the overall "language," often leading to the perception that dialects exist outside the language framework.
Dialect refers to a specific variety of language that reflects a person's geographic origin, social background, or occupation Originating from the Ancient Greek word "dialektos," meaning discourse or language, dialects are primarily distinguished by their unique linguistic structures, including grammar and vocabulary For instance, dialectal variations in the Atlantic states showcase different forms of the verb "climb," while syntax differences can be seen in phrases like "sick to his stomach" versus "sick at his stomach." Vocabulary also varies significantly, with American English using "subway" and British English opting for "underground," as well as differing meanings for "corn" across regions Despite these variations, dialects maintain a shared core of linguistic features.
While some linguists consider phonological features like vowels and intonation as part of dialect, they are typically viewed as elements of accent For instance, in American English, variations in the pronunciation of "greasy" (with either an "s" or "z" sound) serve as significant regional and class indicators This phenomenon is particularly evident in Great Britain, where Received Pronunciation is regarded as the prestigious accent, highlighting the frequent differences in regional accents In contrast, accent variation is less pronounced in Canada, Australia, and many areas of the United States.
The term "dialect" often refers to substandard speech that deviates from accepted norms, exemplified by the characters in Mark Twain's novels Conversely, standard language can be viewed as a prestigious dialect within a language Historically, "dialect" can also denote languages that share a common ancestor, as seen with English, Swedish, and German, which are sometimes classified as Germanic dialects.
Classification of dialect
Wardhaugh (2006:49) stated that dialect mainly consists of two branches namely regional dialect and social dialect
Regional dialects are influenced by geographical areas, resulting in variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax It is important to distinguish between dialects and accents; while dialects refer to these broader linguistic differences, accents pertain specifically to pronunciation variations Standard English can be spoken with various accents that often reflect regional social identities, such as those found in North America, Singapore, India, and specific areas like Liverpool (Scouse), Tyneside (Geordie), and New York.
Regional dialectal differentiation is the most common type, with local speech varying slightly from one area to another While neighboring dialects exhibit minor differences, these variations become more pronounced with greater distance Each dialectal feature is defined by an isogloss, a boundary that marks the limits of linguistic phenomena Isoglosses often do not align perfectly and instead create complex patterns on dialect maps Additionally, multiple isoglosses can cluster together, influenced by geographic barriers that limit the spread of linguistic innovations or historical factors such as long-standing political borders and migrations that connect previously isolated populations.
Geographic dialects encompass local and regional variations, such as Yankee English in Cape Cod or Boston, and broader entities like Delaware Valley English, Australian English, or Tuscan Italian These dialects can be further categorized, with some being subsets of others, like South Carolina English being part of Southern American English Regional dialects exhibit internal variation, but differences within a dialect are generally smaller than those between dialects of the same rank In areas with even dialectal differentiation, the concept of regional dialects may be less applicable, but linguists often use isoglosses to divide territories into distinct dialects, which are sometimes associated with geographic regions or pronunciation features, such as Southern English or Russian o-dialects and a-dialects.
Social strata significantly influence dialectal differences, with variations often linked to social class and education levels Higher-educated individuals and those from elevated social classes typically use more standard language features, while the original regional dialect is more prevalent among lower and less-educated groups In urban centers, new linguistic innovations emerge that are not found in traditional dialects, highlighting the importance of social stratification in these areas Conversely, rural regions maintain a conservative lifestyle, leading to a stronger adherence to traditional geographic dialects.
Educational differences between speakers strongly affect the extent of their vocabulary
Every profession has its unique expressions, encompassing both technical terminology and casual idioms specific to that group Slang, characterized by its flexible vocabulary, often reflects current trends and varies significantly by age group Similar to professional dialects, slang is primarily spoken by individuals who are bidialectal, meaning they also communicate in a standard language or another dialect Additionally, dialectal variations frequently align with religious or racial divisions within the population.
A sociolect or social dialect is a variety of language (a register) associated with a social group such as a socioeconomic class, an ethnic group (precisely termed ethnolect), an age group, etc
Sociolects encompass the passive acquisition of communicative practices through local community interaction and the active selection of speech forms to align with specific groups Defined by sociolinguist Peter Trudgill, a sociolect reflects a speaker's social background rather than their geographical origin This concept emerged with dialectology, which studies dialects in relation to social contexts, gaining increased attention in recent years Unlike dialects, sociolects are influenced by factors such as ethnicity, age, and gender, emphasizing that our speech patterns are shaped by our social affiliations As William Labov noted, we are inherently programmed to communicate in ways that resonate with our community's norms, highlighting the significant role of our environment in shaping our linguistic behavior.
Relationship Between Language and Dialect
According to Wardhaugh (2006:49), the distinction between language and dialect is clear: a dialect represents a subset of a language This means that Texas English can be classified as a dialect of the broader English language.
Languages often have multiple dialects; for example, English is spoken in various regional forms While a language can be considered a single dialect when spoken by a small group with only one variety, experts argue that it is incorrect to equate dialects and languages due to the distinct requirements that differentiate them Thus, we can categorize dialects as A, B, and so on.
C, and so on is the part of language X because it is spoken by many varieties of dialect A, B, C Edward (2009) also define dialect as a variety of a language that differs from others along three dimensions: vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (accent)
Language and dialect are often distinguished by their complexity and usage; while a dialect may emerge from a language spoken by a limited number of people with a single variety, experts caution against equating the two due to the absence of certain linguistic requirements in dialects According to Edward (2009), a dialect is characterized by variations in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation For many individuals, their linguistic identity is clear-cut, as seen in the straightforward associations of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean with their respective languages, highlighting the close relationship between language and ethnicity (Coulmas, 1999).
National entities and dialect areas
Political borders serve as useful markers for identifying various regional varieties of English, such as British, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Nigerian, Singaporean, Malaysian, and Indonesian English These distinctions align with Kachru's (1988) concept of the inner and outer circles of English While some of these political entities are relatively new, the history of English in these regions dates back much further.
Political boundaries beneath the national level, such as states, counties, and cities, help identify distinct varieties of English, including Somerset English, Scottish English, Ulster English, Texan English, Toronto English, and Glasgow English This article will frequently reference these political classifications when discussing non-standard language phenomena and providing examples specific to various regions.
Identifying dialect areas, which are regions characterized by specific linguistic systems within political entities, poses significant challenges These classifications rely primarily on linguistic features rather than political considerations However, linguistic characteristics can be unstable, and not all speakers within a dialect area necessarily exhibit all defining traits This inclusion of dialect areas leads to the emergence of diverse varieties, including Appalachian English and Northern British English.
American English, Tyneside English, etc Frequently, dialect areas overlap or are co-extensive with political boundaries below the national level.
The standard language
When examining the sounds, words, and structures of language, we often focus on the standard language, an idealized version recognized as the official form within a community or country Standard English, for instance, is the variant commonly found in printed materials like newspapers and books, prevalent in mass media, and taught in schools This form is typically the one used for teaching English as a second or foreign language and is closely linked to education and public broadcasting It is more easily defined in terms of written language elements such as vocabulary, spelling, and grammar In the U.S., this is referred to as Standard American English, while in Britain, it is known as Standard British English Other regions have their own recognized varieties, including Standard Australian English, Standard Canadian English, and Standard Indian English.
Standard languages emerge when a specific dialect is adopted for written communication across a wider area, leading to reduced linguistic variation The use of this language in administration, literature, and economics enhances its prestige, particularly when associated with the affluent and educated elite, setting a linguistic standard for others The establishment of dictionaries and grammars, along with the influence of scholarly institutions and governmental policies, further solidifies these linguistic norms Typically, the base dialect for a country's standard language originates from the capital, such as Paris in France, London in England, or Moscow in Russia, though it may also arise from significant cultural centers like Florence in Italy or be a blend of various regional dialects, as seen in German and Polish.
Language evolves over time as local dialects influence a standard language, which is shaped by historical events The distribution of standard languages often does not align with dialectal variations; for instance, Dutch and Flemish dialects belong to the Low German area, while standard languages in different regions may derive from High German or Dutch, influenced by the local populations In the United States, the absence of a central political or cultural hub leads to significant regional dialects in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary within the standard language Despite variations, all standard languages feature diverse accents, with some, like Received Pronunciation in Britain, becoming closely associated with the standard due to their social and educational backgrounds.
In developed countries, the majority of the population possesses either an active or passive command of the standard language Rural communities and lower social strata in urban areas often exhibit bidialectalism, using their native dialect in casual settings while reserving the standard language for formal occasions Additionally, educated urban populations may informally employ a colloquial language, particularly in regions like German, Czech, and Slovene-speaking areas of Central Europe, where a simplified regional dialect is common This linguistic behavior is influenced by psychological factors, including regional solidarity and pride in local traditions, fostering a relaxed atmosphere in informal interactions.
THE STUDY
Factors impact on identifying regional dialects
This chapter explores the factors that influence the identification of English dialects, focusing on both subjective and objective perspectives One key aspect is the regional origin of the dialect, which plays a significant role in dialect discrimination Listeners' ability to recognize regional dialects is also affected by their language experience and cultural background Additionally, factors such as the gender of listeners or speakers and the age at which they acquire the dialect may further influence this identification process We will analyze these potential factors in detail to clarify our viewpoint.
No language is deemed perfect in any given region, as each area exhibits unique geographical, cultural, and traditional traits These variances contribute to the distinct advantages and disadvantages found in regional dialects A person's regional background often reveals insights into their specific dialect.
The concept of region of origin pertains to the area where an individual resided at the start of a specified timeframe and subsequently left This can encompass various territories, including census metropolitan areas, provinces, or entire countries For instance, if a person originates from region A, they may easily recognize dialects B and C, which share similarities with dialect A due to geographical proximity Individuals from region A can accurately identify their fellow countrymen by their regional dialects, but their ability to discern dialects from unfamiliar regions, such as X or Y, significantly diminishes.
In a study conducted by Wendy Barker and her team in 2009, listeners, including Utahns, Westerners, and non-Westerners, were invited to complete a survey where they rated speakers on a scale of 0-6 across seven short excerpts The research aimed to determine if a participant's region of origin affects their ability to perceive how closely a speaker resembles a Utahn.
A study conducted in 2009 highlighted the significance of regional familiarity in recognizing dialect differences, particularly between Utah speakers and non-Utah speakers Listeners from Utah and the Western United States demonstrated a greater ability to identify Utah accents based on phonetic characteristics compared to listeners from more distant areas The findings revealed that Utah listeners scored significantly higher (3.42) in recognizing Utah English accents than non-Utah listeners (2.71), indicating a clear distinction between the two groups This aligns with previous research emphasizing the importance of regional origin in dialect identification, confirming that familiarity with a dialect enhances recognition accuracy.
Research indicates that regional origin significantly influences the perception of dialect-specific vowel variants For instance, Labov and Ash (1998) discovered that listeners from Birmingham, Alabama, were more adept at identifying Southern shifted vowels compared to those from Chicago or Philadelphia Similarly, Evans and Iverson (2004a) found that individuals with limited exposure to various regional dialects of British English struggled to match stimuli to the corresponding dialect of a preceding carrier phrase, unlike those with more geographical mobility Additionally, Rakerd and Plichta (2003) reported comparable findings among American English listeners, highlighting the impact of regional familiarity on vowel perception.
Exposure to a regional dialect similar to one's origin significantly enhances the ability to identify that dialect accurately In contrast, the likelihood of correct identification diminishes with increasing distance from the listener's region This phenomenon suggests that individuals from geographically close regions are more adept at discerning differences between their dialects Research by Garrett, Coupland, & Williams (1999) indicates that Welsh adolescents were better at identifying speakers from their own dialect than those from other regions, despite overall poor performance Similarly, Preston (1996) found that Northerners could distinguish northern varieties of American English more effectively than non-Northerners Clopper & Pisoni (2006) further confirmed this trend across various American dialects, highlighting the impact of regional proximity on dialect recognition.
Research suggests that dialect identification may rely on regional phonetic characteristics, as indicated by Kerswill and Williams (2002) While direct studies on this hypothesis are limited, Fridland, Bartlett, and Kreuz (2004) found that Southern U.S English speakers could differentiate vowels characteristic of their dialect Additionally, Clopper and Pisoni (2004b) showed that American English listeners utilize distinct vowels to identify various American English dialects based on their own regional backgrounds.
In conclusion, the findings indicate that a listener's geographical background can affect their ability to identify different language varieties Additionally, this regional origin may impact listeners' sensitivity to the phonetic features of a specific language variety.
3.1.2 Amount of experience and geographic mobility
People from area A can recognize regional dialects from distant regions like X and Y due to past exposure Enhancing dialect experience doesn't require travel; it can be achieved through media and cultural publications such as books and magazines Familiarity with and exposure to various dialects are advantageous, as accumulated experience enables individuals to accurately identify dialects, even those not from neighboring areas.
The familiarity a listener has with a specific dialect significantly influences their ability to identify differences between dialects, yet research on this aspect remains limited While studies have focused on how experience affects the acquisition of dialect features, such as those by Payne (1980) and Chambers (1992), they highlight that the amount of exposure to a variety impacts not only the production of dialect characteristics but also the timing of this acquisition For instance, Payne found that individuals relocating to Philadelphia adopt some traits of the local English variety based on their exposure and age of arrival, while Chambers noted that Canadian children transplanted to Britain begin to incorporate British English features earlier in lexical and syntactic aspects than phonetic ones.
Listeners can effectively distinguish between various dialects of the same language, especially those they are familiar with and frequently represented in media Research shows they can pinpoint a speaker's regional origin, even down to specific cities, with minimal auditory input For instance, studies indicate that listeners can recognize differences between ethnic varieties of English after hearing just one word.
Bowie (2000) investigated whether listeners can identify characteristics of various English dialects, specifically examining how Maryland natives perceive vowel pairs The study focused on whether these listeners recognized vowel pairs based on their native dialect, which often features vowel mergers, or their second acquired dialect Key findings indicated that both the amount of experience and the age at which the second variety was acquired significantly influenced vowel perception, leading to variations in how listeners interpreted the sounds Notably, aside from Bowie’s research, there appears to be a lack of studies exploring the impact of experience on the perception of different English varieties.
Research on dialect perception indicates that linguistic experience with various dialects enhances dialect identification skills A study by Clopper and Pisoni (2004a) found that individuals who frequently moved, referred to as "army brats," were more proficient at recognizing different American English varieties compared to those who spent most of their lives in one location, known as "homebodies." Remarkably, army brats demonstrated greater accuracy in identifying dialects from regions they had never resided in.
In a study conducted by Evans and Iverson (2004) in Great Britain, listeners from Northern and Southern Britain evaluated synthetic stimuli within carrier sentences for their representation of Northern or Southern British English The findings revealed that Northern listeners with minimal exposure to Southern dialects exhibited less variation in their responses, predominantly favoring Northern variants Conversely, Northern listeners who relocated to Southern England demonstrated a greater adaptability to the Southern dialect, selecting more accurate Southern vowel variants This research highlights the influence of exposure on dialect perception and adaptation.
(2003) suggest that prior linguistic experience can affect the perception of the phonological properties that distinguish different dialects
Strategies for understanding regional dialects
Effective strategies for mastering regional dialects include listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translating These approaches vary based on an individual's academic level, needs, and the complexity of the source language Among these, the understanding strategy stands out as a widely used method, allowing learners to explore and engage with the nuances of regional dialects effectively.
While strategies for data extraction are effective primarily in regions where English is a native language, such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, they face challenges in bilingual areas like India, Singapore, and South Africa, where reports and data are scarce To improve understanding of regional dialects in these countries, more time and effort are required for comprehensive survey studies.
3.2.1 English regional dialects in the main regions
Received Pronunciation (RP) is recognized as the standard accent of London and the southeast of England, lacking a specific geographical association within the UK While often deemed a "prestige" accent, RP is not inherently superior to other English varieties; it simply holds a higher status due to historical circumstances Its prominence was supported by prestigious institutions like public schools and ancient universities, rather than any formal authority Despite the influence of media, various English accents, particularly in the North, remain distinct, with some vowel sounds, like the pronunciation of /a:/ in words such as "laugh" and "path," being carried into American English.
In various Northern accents of English, vowel pronunciations differ significantly from Received Pronunciation (RP) For instance, the vowels in "run," "rung," and "tongue" are pronounced like the 'u' in "but," while in some Northern accents, they resemble the 'oo' in "book." Similarly, the vowel sounds in "bind," "find," and "grind" are pronounced as /ai/ in RP, akin to "bide," but shift to /i/ in Northern accents The words "go," "home," and "know" may feature the vowel sound /ɔ:/, similar to the American English pronunciation of "law." In Northumberland, some dialects retain the Old English pronunciation of "hit." Additionally, the definite article "the" may be articulated as t, th, or d, with variations depending on the following consonant or vowel In instances where "the" is reduced to t before t or d, a slight pause is used Furthermore, the RP /t∫/ sound can transform into k in words like "thack" (thatch) and "kirk" (church) Notably, strong verbs in Northern dialects preserve archaic past-tense forms such as "band," "brak," "fand," and "spak," along with the past participle inflection -en, resulting in forms like "comen," "shutten," "sitten," and "getten" or "gotten."
In certain Midland accents, the diphthongs in "throat" and "stone" remain distinct, unlike in Received Pronunciation (RP) where they merge Additionally, in regions such as Cheshire, Derby, Stafford, and Warwick, RP "singing" features a pronounced 'g' following the velar nasal, similar to RP "finger." Meanwhile, in Norfolk, variations like "skellington" and "solintary" for "skeleton" and "solitary" illustrate an intrusive 'n,' paralleling the RP transformations of words like "messenger" from French "messager," "passenger" from "passager," and "nightingale."
Old English terms, such as "nihtegala," illustrate the linguistic evolution in East Anglia, where consonantal metathesis occurs, evident in words like "singify" for "signify." Additionally, variations like "chimbly" for "chimney" and "synnable" for "syllable" demonstrate the substitution of one liquid or nasal sound for another The word "hantle," meaning handful, exemplifies the phenomenon of syncope in this regional dialect.
(disappearance) of an unstressed vowel, partial assimilation of d to t before voiceless f, and subsequent loss of f in a triple consonant group
In certain South-Western accents, initial f and s sounds are often voiced to become v and z, with words like "vat" (from fat) and "vixen" (from fixen) entering Received Pronunciation (RP) A notable feature is the insertion of a d between l or n and r, resulting in terms like "parlder" for parlour and "carnder" for corner Additionally, the bilabial semivowel w appears before o, as seen in "wold" for old and "wom" for home, paralleling RP developments where Old English ān evolved into "one" and hāl became "whole." In South-Western dialects, "yat" derives from the singular geat, while RP "gate" comes from the plural gatu Similarly, "clee" originates from the nominative clea, contrasting with RP "claw," which stems from oblique cases The verbs "keel" and "kemb" have also evolved regularly in this context.
Old English cēlan “to make cool” and kemban “to use a comb,” whereas the corresponding RP verbs cool and comb come from the adjective and the noun, respectively
In Wales, the English spoken is characterized by a distinct clarity and measured tone, featuring rising intonations influenced by Celtic heritage Speakers often produce plosive and fricative consonants with strong aspiration, resulting in a noticeable breathy sound following the initial "t" in words like "two," and occasionally a voiceless "w" in "maybe."
Scots, or Lowland Scottish, originated from Northern English but began to evolve separately in the 14th century Modern Scots speakers exhibit unique linguistic traits, such as trilling their r’s and simplifying diphthongs Some Scots words like bairn, brae, canny, dour, and pawky have been incorporated into Received Pronunciation (RP) It is important to distinguish Scots from Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic language still spoken by around 60,000 bilingual individuals primarily in the Highlands and Western Isles The preservation of many Scottish Gaelic words in English literature can be attributed to influential writers like Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
Northern Ireland's dialects are influenced by both Scots and Southern Irish English, showcasing a unique linguistic blend The impact of the Irish language is particularly noticeable in Dublin's speech, reflected in its dramatic syntax and the use of vivid expressions like "We are after finishing."
It’s sorry you will be, and James does be cutting corn every day
Figure 3 1: Distribution Old English Dialect
(Source: Encyclopổdia Britannica, Inc 2009) 3.2.1.2 American English
The Linguistic Atlas of the Upper Midwest highlights regional dialects through a survey that identifies significant speech differences across various areas One objective of such surveys is to delineate dialect boundaries, known as isoglosses, based on linguistic variations For instance, if most respondents in one region refer to a "paper bag" while those in another call it a "paper sack," researchers can map a line to illustrate the boundary between these dialects.
When a similar distribution of preferences is observed for different items, such as "pail" in the north and "bucket" in the south, an additional isogloss can be mapped, likely overlapping the first As multiple isoglosses converge, a clearer line emerges, representing a distinct dialect boundary.
Figure 3 2: Map of the Upper Midwest showing the isoglosses and dialect boundaries
(Source: The study of the language - George Yule, 1985)
The illustration highlights the usage of "paper bag" and "paper sack," with a small circle indicating the former and a plus sign for the latter A broken line represents an isogloss that aligns with various linguistic features In the Upper Midwest of the USA, a Northern dialect area encompasses Minnesota, North Dakota, most of South Dakota, and Northern Iowa, while the remainder of Iowa and Nebraska exhibit Midland dialect characteristics This region showcases distinct pronunciation and vocabulary differences.
Northern: paper bag pail kerosene slippery get sick
Midland: paper sack bucket coal oil slick take sick
Table 3 1: Some of the noticeable pronunciation and vocabulary differences of Northern and Midland areas in American
( Source: The study of the language - George Yule, 1985)
Talker dialect Characteristic acoustic-phonetic properties
New England r-lessness in dark, /ổ/ backing in rag
North Centralized /ow/ offglides in don't, monophthongal /ổ/ in rag North Midland None
South Midland /u/ fronting in suit, /ow/ backing in don't
Table 3 2: Characteristic properties of the six talker dialects from six areas in American
(Source: Journal of Phonetics - Cynthia G Clopper and David B Pisoni,2004b)
An American English male speaker who pronounces "greasy" as [grizi] and requests a bucket for water is unlikely to have spent most of his life in Minnesota However, it's important to note that while these pronunciation patterns were prevalent among many participants in a dialect survey, they do not apply to every speaker in the region today.
The dialect regions of the United States are prominently defined along the Atlantic coast, where early settlements occurred These regions can be categorized into three main dialects: Northern, Midland, and Southern, each containing its own distinct subdialects.
Figure 3 3: Map showing the dialect regions of the United States
CONCLUSION
Summary of the study
The research findings provide clear evidence that the initial research questions have been effectively addressed This study aims to explore how culture and geography shape the phonetic systems of speakers of the same language, enhancing readers' understanding of regional dialects.
The study commences with Chapter 1, outlining the background, objectives, and organization of the research Chapter 2 explores various perspectives on the concept of regional dialects, while Chapter 3 focuses on the analysis and integration of the collected data.
Limitation of the study
Dialectology is a vast area of linguistic study that specifically examines regional dialects While significant efforts have been made to collect and integrate relevant data, the research is meticulously designed within the constraints of time, relying on dependable sources However, it is important to acknowledge certain limitations that persist in this study.
Firstly, the study only investigates regional dialects in English, the results may not totally true to other subjects or languages
A significant challenge in conducting research on regional dialects in English is the lack of prior studies in the field Citing existing literature is essential for establishing a theoretical foundation for the research question However, the limited availability of relevant studies highlights a gap in the literature, presenting an opportunity to explore uncharted areas and identify new research opportunities.
English dialects are specific to certain regions where English is predominantly spoken, necessitating data collection from publicly available sources such as the internet and academic journals This method of data collection has constrained my ability to perform a comprehensive analysis of the findings The reliance on pre-existing and self-reported data introduces challenges, as such information is often difficult to independently verify and may be influenced by various biases.
Students face strict deadlines for submitting their graduation papers, which limits the time they have to explore research problems and assess changes over time Unlike professors or academic researchers who can dedicate years or even a lifetime to a single topic, students must work within the constraints of their assignment due dates, significantly affecting their ability to conduct thorough investigations.
Suggestions for the further study
If I were to design this study again, there are a number of changes I would make Most importantly I would go for a longer period to be able to capture involvement through the whole research process from initial design through to dissemination I would seek to recruit far more potential case studies in principle so that we had a greater choice of which to proceed with once our study began in earnest I would include case studies from the application stage to capture the important early involvement of research partners in the initial design period It might be preferable to research a smaller number of case studies
Dialect encompasses various linguistic categories, with this study focusing specifically on regional dialects Social dialects also play a crucial role in the English language, and research in this area is vital for expanding our understanding Future in-depth studies on social dialects are anticipated to enhance this knowledge further.
English is not limited to the UK and North America; it is also an official language in countries like India, South Africa, and Singapore However, my research has yet to delve deeply into the diverse regional dialects and phonetic systems present in these nations.
So, this direction is a perfect suggestion for anyone interested in the subject
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5 Edward (2006), Language and Identity: An Introduction
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7 Clopper, C G., &; Pisoni, D B (2004a), Language Variation and Change
8 Clopper, C G., & Pisoni, D B (2004b), Journal of Phonetics
9 Clopper, C G., & Pisoni, D B (2006), Language Variation and Change
10 Cunningham-Andersson, U (1996), Quarterly Progress and Status Report - Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Speech, Music and Hearing
11 William Labov & Sharon Ash (1998), The Atlas of North American English: Phonetics, Phonology and Sound Change
12 Fridland, V., Bartlett, K., & Kreuz, R (2004) Language Variation and Change, 16, 1-16
Do you hear what I hear? Experimental measurement of the perceptual salience of acoustically manipulated vowel variants by Southern speakers in Memphis, TN
13 Paul Kerswill & Ann Williams (2002), Salience as an explanatory factor in language change: Evidence from dialect levelling in urban England
14 Valerie Fridland, Kathryn Bartlett & Roger Kreuz (2004), Do You Hear What I Hear? Experimental Measurement of the Perceptual Salience of Acoustically Manipulated Vowel Variants by Southern Speakers in Memphis