Dialect Research Articles

Americans’ attitudes toward British accents: the role of social categorisation, perceived group prototypicality, and processing fluency

ABSTRACT The present research examined whether American listeners express different attitudes toward different British accents (i.e. RP, Northern, Scottish, and Welsh) and, if so, which cognitive mechanisms underlie that attitudinal variation. Across two studies, we found that Americans’ attitudes toward British accents were differentiated. RP-accented speakers were consistently rated more favourably than speakers of regional British accents, with some regional accents (e.g. Northern) denigrated more than others (e.g. Scottish). This attitudinal variation was associated with variation in how speakers of different accents were categorised (Study 1), how prototypical of their respective groups they were perceived to be (Study 2), and how much difficulty listeners experienced processing their speech (Studies 1 and 2). These findings contribute to our understanding of language attitudes processes and have methodological implications for the elicitation of language attitudes using audio stimuli.

International intelligibility of English spoken by college students in the Bashu dialect area of China

Exploring English intelligibility in linguistically diverse environments, such as China, is crucial for improving cross-cultural dialog and tailoring language instruction to address the phonetic hurdles of non-native speakers. This research employed a phonetic experimental methodology to assess the intelligibility of English spoken by college students from the Bashu dialect region of Southwest China to an international audience. Data from 40 intermediate English-proficient students in Sichuan and Chongqing were analyzed using open-ended questionnaires and evaluative scales. The findings revealed that the influence of the Bashu dialect significantly impeded the accurate articulation of specific English phonemes, thereby exerting an impact on the international intelligibility of their spoken English. Notably, notwithstanding their conspicuous accents, the research concluded that the English enunciated by these students generally retained intelligibility for global audiences. The study identified a spectrum of pronunciation challenges, encompassing issues with phonetic sounds, recurrent mispronunciations, and variances in accent and prosody, collectively contributing to an overarching influence on intelligibility. Grounded in international listener feedback, this study proffers strategies to augment the intelligibility of spoken English among Chinese learners originating from dialect-specific regions, thereby fostering the amelioration of their communicative skills and bolstering their confidence when engaging with global audiences.

Contextually Propagated Term Weight based Approach for Author Profiling: Gender, Age and Language Variety Prediction

Author profiling creates characterization of an author based on attributes such as age, gender, language, dialect region variety, personality and so on. In recent years it has garnered significant attention for its varies applications across forensic linguistics, marketing, cybersecurity and social media analytics. Most of the research focused on stylistic, content based and term weight measures based feature representations. We observed that context semantics is not considered in the feature representation. In this propose contextually propagated term weight measures for feature representation. We implemented SVM, Random Forest and XG Boost machine learning algorithms on those feature representations. The results demonstrated that the proposed contextually propagated term weight with inverse category frequency outperformed the existing methods.

Analysis of Indonesian Spelling Errors Differences Among Students Based on Their Regional Dialects at Al Razi Sinar Harapan Junior High School

This study aims to analyze the differences in Indonesian spelling errors among students based on their regional dialects at Al Razi Sinar Harapan Junior High School. The research method employed is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches involving interviews with Indonesian language teachers and questionnaires distributed to students. The findings indicate variations in spelling errors among students from different regions, as well as the influence of regional dialects on spelling error patterns. Additionally, the impact of social media and technology contributes to students' spelling errors. This research provides a deeper understanding of the factors affecting Indonesian spelling errors among students.

Phonological variation and linguistic diversity in Bangladeshi dialects: An exploration of sound patterns and sociolinguistic significance

This paper explores how people in different parts of Bangladesh talk differently from each other. The study pays special attention to the unique sounds in their dialects compared to the standard Bangla language. The main goal of the research is to understand why these sounds change from one dialect to another. The researchers collected data from 70 participants coming from 20 regions of Bangladesh, who were fluent in their regional dialects and studied it carefully. By employing semi-structured interviews, IPA transcription, and thorough verification processes, this study ensures the accuracy and reliability of its findings and discussion, contributing valuable insights into the phonological diversity of Bangladeshi dialects and their socio-linguistic significance. The authors found 13 phonological variations or patterns among the dialects of different regions of Bangladesh. Each type of change is explained with clear examples to make it easier to understand. The research contributes significantly to the understanding of socio-linguistic diversity in Bangladesh by providing experimental evidence of phonological variation and its determinants. It also lays the groundwork for future research on dialects and their relationship with the standard language. This study will bring up a greater appreciation for Bangladesh’s linguistic diversity and encourage further research into language variation and change.

Geographic structure of Chinese dialects: a computational dialectometric approach

Abstract Dialect classification is a long-standing issue in Chinese dialectology. Although various theories of Chinese dialect regions have been proposed, most have been limited by similar methodological issues, especially due to their reliance on the subjective analysis of dialect maps both individually and in the aggregate, as well as their focus on phonology over syntax and vocabulary. Consequently, we know relatively little about the geolinguistic underpinnings of Chinese dialect variation. Following a review of previous research in this area, this article presents a theory of Chinese dialect regions based on the first large-scale quantitative analysis of the data from the Linguistic Atlas of Chinese Dialects, which was collected between 2000 and 2008, providing the most up-to-date picture of the full Chinese dialect landscape. We identify and map a hierarchy of 10 major Chinese dialect regions, challenging traditional accounts. In addition, we propose a new theory of Chinese dialect formation to account for our findings.

Voice Intelligence Based Wake Word Detection of Regional Dialects using 1D Convolutional Neural Network

Abstract— Voice-based apps can be effective among rural farmers, if it is in their own spoken language/dialect. Many voice-based apps were developed in the agricultural sector, and in each case, farmers had to either type in the queries or they had to communicate with the device which had the standard speech to deliver the solution which added to the challenge to comprehend the information. This paper presents the research work in developing the wake word detection system for major dialects based on 5 different regions in Karnataka, namely-Dharwad, Dogganal, Tulu, Kodagu and Urban Kannada.The customized wake word system is designed using 1D CNN model with 98% accuracy which showed better results over ANNs with 14.1% and RNNs with 48.1% accuracies. The diversity in regional dialects has been well identified using Conv1D model and with comparative analysis with RNNs to validate on the sequential data the predicted labels were compared and the performance of Conv1d reconciles well for the Dialect Dataset.

Transliteration of Arabic Words/Phrase into English: An Exploration of Ambiguity Markers

Transliteration is a useful process when communication involves a language pair out of which each follows a different script, such as Arabic and English. One danger posed by this process is the ambiguity between the source and target of the communication. This study analyzes the intricate process of Arabic to English transliteration and the factor that make it ambiguous. The study aims to identify, categorize, and analyze the ambiguity markers that frequently arise during the transliteration of Arabic script into the Latin alphabet. The study interviewed 6 specialist translators in the Saudi context to identify the source of difficulties they encounter and which may bring ambiguities to the readers at various language levels. Results indicated that non-standardization in translation from Arabic to English was a cause of ambiguity in transliteration. Finally, regional dialects could not be adjusted in the transliteration spectrum in Google Translate. This research contributes to the field of transliteration studies by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing ambiguity in the transliteration process.

Prejudice towards regional accents of Philippine English

Abstract This study examines linguistic prejudice towards the accents of three regional varieties of Philippine English: Cebuano English, Ilocano English, and Tagalog English. Data were collected using a verbal-guise technique taken by 982 listener-judges, who were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Results showed an overall more favorable attitude towards Tagalog English. Cebuano English and Ilocano English speakers were judged as less socially attractive and less competent compared to their Tagalog English counterparts. In the multilingual Philippines, where languages in the periphery, i.e. languages other than English and Tagalog, face negative stereotypes, the results indicate potential linguistic prejudice towards accents that individuals view as deviating from the standard, i.e. the Tagalog English accent as ‘the’ standard of Philippine English. The findings are discussed in light of the ongoing observation of the development of Philippine English in the Schneiderian model of postcolonial Englishes.

Language and identity: The dynamics of linguistic clustering in multinational enterprises

Research on language diversity in international business has shown that language is a core element of one's social identity and employees in MNEs often form homophily-based clusters with those who share their native language. Such clusters can significantly influence communication and knowledge sharing processes within MNEs. However, research assumes that language-based clusters are monolithic in nature. In this study of two MNE headquarters in India, we develop a model to depict the dynamic processes by which language intersects with other salient identity attributes such as gender, regional dialects, and education to change the composition of language-based clusters and alter group dynamics and organizational processes.

Navigating accent bias in German: children's social preferences for a second-language accent over a first-language regional accent

Spoken language conveys rich sociolinguistic information about a speaker's language background. Previous research indicates that both monolingual and bilingual children use this information when making social decisions. They prefer local speakers whose accent or variety matches their own over speakers of foreign languages or second-language speakers. What remains unclear is how exposure to diverse linguistic communities affects children's preferences for non-local accents. This study examines social preferences for a regional and a second-language accent as a function of prior exposure to diverse accents and languages, measured on a continuous scale. German-speaking primary-school children (aged 7–10) were asked to choose stickers in a forced-choice task using animated cartoon characters. We replicated the observed social preferences for one's local accent. Interestingly, when the local accent was absent, children socially preferred a second-language accent (American) over a first-language regional accent (Bavarian), even though both accents were equally intelligible and relatively unfamiliar to the children, as determined through a sentence repetition task and a geographical classification task. Children's choices were not explained by continuous measures of accent or bilingual exposure. The results suggest a complex interaction of various factors not limited to the speakers' first- or second-language status.

Analisis Ragam Bahasa Slogan pada Papan Reklame di Kota Padang (Kajian Sosiolinguistik)

This research aims to provide an explanation of how slogans on billboards in Padang City are used and the different types of language used. This research used photographs as documentation. Qualitative descriptive method was used. The results show that slogans use simple and concise language. Most of the slogans do not change syntax and morphology. The aim is to help people remember the slogan. Slogans posted on billboards in Padang are mostly in Indonesian, most are in English, and some use both. Slogans also use regional dialects.

Языковые основы субэтнической, этнической и этнополитической идентичности

The purpose of the research is to determine the relationship between the concepts of “ethnos” and “language” in the peripheral zone of ethnic self-determination where some part of the society considers itself a separate ethnic group, but this belief is not supported by its linguistic separateness. The material is the data on the ethnic situation in a number of countries around the world which is obtained either from social surveys or based on ethnographic descriptions of the relationship between linguistic and ethnic self-identification in different countries. The study applies the method of correlation analysis to establish the relationship between linguistic and ethnic self-determination. The work also uses the method of sociolinguistic interpretation and the method of sociolinguistic reinterpretation which is based on the analysis of secondary material, that has already entered in scientific circulation, for sociolinguistic purposes. The basis for identification processes is the linguistic identification of an ethnic nation, on the basis of which ethnographic, ethnic and ethnopolitical national unity is formed. As a result the study highlighted four situations which are based on the correction of ethnic identification according to language identity. Firstly, a situation of ethnic transition, when a person, who defines himself as belonging to a nation “by blood”, according to his linguistic identity moves to another national group. Secondly, a situation of subethnic transition, when an ethnic subgroup designates itself as part of a nation, that uses the regional dialect or dialect of a given nation. Thirdly, the situation of ethno-political identity, when the nationality is determined by the political factor such as citizenship while preserving the language of the ethnic nation living in another, base state. Finally, multiethnic political identification, which is a type of ethnopolitical identity, when several ethnic nations, which are speakers of different languages, are united into one political nation. This interpretation of the “ethnos – language” relationship allows us to adjust the parameters of sociolinguistic and social stratification of society.

Recognizing two dialects in one written form: A Stroop study

Abstract This study aims to examine the influence of dialectal experience on logographic visual word recognition. Two groups of Chinese monolectals and three groups of Chinese bi-dialectals performed Stroop color-naming in Standard Chinese (SC), and two of the bi-dialectal groups also in their regional dialects. The participant groups differed in dialectal experiences. The ink-character relation was manipulated in semantics, segments, and tones separately, as congruent, competing, or different, yielding ten Stroop conditions for comparison. All the groups showed Stroop interference for the conditions of segmental competition, as well as evidence for semantic activation by the characters. Bi-dialectal experience, even receptive, could benefit conflict resolution in the Stroop task. Chinese characters can automatically activate words in both dialects. Comparing naming in Standard Chinese and naming in the bi-dialectals’ regional dialects, still, a regional-dialect disadvantage suggests that the activation is biased with literacy and lexico-specific inter-dialectal relations.

Do ethnic, migration‐based, and regional language varieties put applicants at a disadvantage? A meta‐analysis of biases in personnel selection

AbstractThis meta‐analysis examined biases in personnel selection owing to applicants' use of non‐standard language such as ethnic and migration‐based language varieties or regional dialects. The analysis summarized the results of 22 studies with a total N of 3615 raters that compared applicants with an accent or dialect with applicants speaking standard language. The primary studies used different standard and non‐standard languages and assessed different dependent variables related to hiring decisions in job interviews. The k = 109 effect sizes (Hedges' g) were assigned to the dependent variables of competence, warmth, and hirability. Non‐standard speakers were rated as less competent (δ = −0.70), less warm (δ = −0.17), and less hirable (δ = −0.51) compared to standard speakers. Thus, at the same level of competence, non‐standard speakers are rated lower than standard speakers and might, therefore, be disadvantaged in personnel selection contexts. We also considered several potential moderator variables (e.g., applicants' specific language variety, raters' own use of non‐standard language, and raters' background) but only found rather limited support for them. Furthermore, publication bias had only limited effects. Practical implications for personnel selection are discussed.

Does dialect diversity improve enterprise employment? Evidence from Chinese listed companies

The employment effect of dialect diversity is not only a fundamental issue in research related to Chinese dialects; it is also of great significance for improving regional employment levels, enhancing people's livelihoods, and driving economic development in China. This paper uses data on regional dialects and listed companies in China from 2011 to 2021 to thoroughly examine the impact of dialect diversity on enterprise employment and finds that there is a significant positive correlation between them. In terms of internal mechanisms, dialect diversity can enhance enterprise employment levels by expanding the scale of their production and innovation. Further examination reveals that in terms of factor intensity, labor and production exhibit a more pronounced employment effect of dialect diversity in enterprises than capital and R&D innovation. In terms of ownership types, the employment effect of dialect diversity is strongly reflected in samples of private and foreign-funded enterprises, while its significance is not as apparent in state-owned or collective enterprises. In terms of region types, dialect diversity significantly improves the employment of enterprises in the eastern region, but suppresses the employment of enterprises in other regions. This study provides conclusions on the employment effect of dialects within Chinese enterprises. It also lays a crucial foundation for implementing scale enhancement mechanisms in production and innovation, improving regional support policies and enterprise management systems, and leveraging the employment promotion effect of dialect diversity.

Phonological Variation of /r/ in Selected Arabic Dialects

The present study offers a descriptive examination of the Arabic phoneme /r/, renowned for its intricate and diverse nature within the Arabic phonological system. This research investigates the varied manifestations of the phoneme /r/ in different regional dialects, with a specific emphasis on its pronunciation in the initial, middle, and final positions of words. The paper's significance is rooted in its contribution to the comprehension of the Arabic /r/ phoneme, a multifaceted and diverse sound within Arabic phonological systems. The paper illuminates the phonetic variability of the /r/ by analyzing its distinct manifestations across diverse Arabic dialects and regions. This can potentially facilitate language acquisition and instruction. The investigation conducted by the authors pertains to the marked and unmarked characteristics of the phonological /r/ in Arabic. The population under investigation comprises a randomly selected group of Arabic-speaking individuals aged 18 years and older, encompassing both genders and hailing from diverse countries and regions. The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, utilizing a unique features matrix and the Audacity Sound Recording and Analysis Application to examine the gathered data. The findings of the research enhance the comprehension of the phonetic variability that typifies the Arabic /r/ phoneme and elucidate its manifestation in diverse contexts and geographical locations. Furthermore, the outcomes of this investigation hold significance for the domain of language education and acquisition, and the techniques utilized were designed to guarantee the precision and dependability of the gathered information.

Acoustics and ice hockey: The sociophonetic impact of Canadian English on American-Born players

My research utilizes sociophonetic analysis to document the linguistic identity construction process that is ongoing in the sport of ice hockey. I argue that American-born players are constructing a hockey-based identity influenced by Canadian English (CE) due to the historical Canadian dominance of the sport. This identity incorporates Canadian Raising, FACE and GOAT monophthongization, both commonly attributed to CE and largely unexplainable based on players’ regional dialects, and altered vowel production in hockey-specific terminology, most notably in the word hockey itself, unique to the hockey community. To document this variation, I analyze vowel formant values taken from sociolinguistic interviews with professional hockey players. I assess F1 and F2 values throughout vowel durations to establish if players are converging in production away from regional dialectal variants towards shared hockey-based variants. I argue these variants have gained indexical value linked to an emerging hockey-based identity that, although influenced by CE, is unique to the hockey community. In ongoing research, I aim to further document that this variation is most evident in hockey-specific terminology and that lexical diffusion occurs outwardly from these terms over time leading to players developing a more prevalent hockey-based identity as the sport gains more importance in their lives.

Regional differences in the production of tones in standard mandarin

This study investigates the intricate patterns of tonal variations in monosyllabic words across distinct regional accents of Standard Mandarin, with a focus on Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. Due to the differing tonal systems of the local Chinese dialects in the three cities, speakers from these areas may exhibit distinct patterns in their production of tones in Standard Mandarin, influenced by their native Chinese dialects. Therefore, to capture the nuances of tonal differences, the study extracts the time-normalized f0 values of four tones (i.e., level, rising, dipping, and falling tones) from monosyllabic words in a Mandarin Chinese speech corpus. The overall f0 contours of the four tones within and across the three regional accents are modeled using growth curve analysis. We expect to find that regional accents of Standard Mandarin exhibit significant tonal variations such that the tone shapes of speakers from Shanghai and Guangzhou may significantly deviate from those of Beijing speakers. Specifically, there are variations in contour shape and temporal dynamics, particularly in the quadratic term for dipping tones and the slopes of rising and falling tones. These findings can provide valuable insights into the intricate characteristics of regional tonal variations in Standard Mandarin.

Perceptual adaptation to unfamiliar dialect variation

Regional varieties of a language often differ in the phonetic realization of shared phonological categories, resulting in perceptual ambiguity. In perceptual tasks, listeners with more exposure to regional dialect variation perform differently than listeners with less exposure, reflecting underlying differences in lexical competition. In this study, we examined perceptual adaptation to one authentic dialect of American English and one novel dialect to test for adaptation to unfamiliar variation. Our materials contained contrasts that are perceptually ambiguous in Southern American English and in the novel dialect we created, in which linguistically trained bilinguals substituted English /ow/ with Spanish /o/. Participants heard a familiarization passage spoken in a Southern or Novel dialect and then completed an auditory lexical decision task. Adaptation was assessed by differences in accuracy and response times for each vowel contrast, talker dialect, and familiarization dialect. Results revealed lower accuracy and slower response times for both target contrasts when pronounced in their respective dialects. These effects reflect the difficulty in processing perceptually ambiguous stimuli. Familiarization dialect had no effect on accuracy or response times; future analyses will include quantification of listener regional dialect exposure to better assess its influence on processing novel variation.