Varieties Of English Research Articles

Broad, strong, and soft: Using geospatial analysis to understand folk-linguistic terminology

Abstract This study uses a modified online version of the “draw-a-map” task and Garrett, Williams, and Evans’ (2005b) “keywords” methodology to explore the geospatial distribution of different accent and dialect labels and descriptors in Greater Manchester, UK. Specifically, we consider the distribution of the three most frequent labels related to “accentedness”: Broad, Strong, and Soft, as provided by 349 Greater Manchester residents. This analysis finds that these descriptors were clustered in separate areas of Greater Manchester, suggesting that they were being used to describe perceptually distinct varieties of English. In order to uncover the nuances in these folk-linguistic terms, we consider how they correlate with other concepts emerging from the dataset, finding that they are being used to differentiate between varieties with contrasting social associations. By combining innovative approaches, this study demonstrates how the subtleties of folk-linguistic modes of awareness can be uncovered through in-depth analysis of the terminology employed to describe linguistic variation on a very local scale. In so doing, it paves the way for further development of draw-a-map techniques that will enable similarly nuanced analysis in different regions, thus pushing the sub-discipline forward.

Ethnolinguistic Communities: The Physical Visibility of MENA Americans and the Local Enregisterment of Dearborn English

Recent research in social psychology underscores the role of language and its intersection with other identity markers, including ethnic visibility, in exploring social perceptions and biases. This paper examines the physical visibility of people of Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) descent in the U.S., and the linguistic visibility of a concentrated MENA American community in Dearborn, Michigan. Relying on headshots, Study 1 shows that MENA could be an ambiguous ethnic community based solely on physical appearance, while religiously affiliated attire proves to be a significant ethnic marker for MENA. Using audio cues, Study 2 shows that the English variety spoken in Dearborn is a recognizable variety with masculinity associations. As such, Dearborn English is argued to be an ethnolinguistic repertoire that can be used to project ethno-local visibility. The results highlight the importance of the linguistic visibility of Dearborn and future research on language attitudes towards this variety.

Distinguishing Hawai‘i Creole neva and néva: prosodic evidence from podcast interviews

Abstract This paper investigates prosodic and contextual differentiation strategies between preverbal past tense negator neva and adverb never in Hawai‘i Creole. It aims to demonstrate differing syntactic restrictions and advocates for treating these words as two distinct morphemes. The analyses are based on phonological data gathered from interviews uploaded onto YouTube by Hawaiiverse, a Local podcast. As demonstrated through spectrogram analyses, HC néva (=ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ) is marked by a stressed accent on its first syllable and prominence on word-initial /n/, whereas neva (=ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ) is marked by a lack of these features under typical circumstances. This suggests that Hawai‘i Creole morphophonology depends more on stress-timed features than previously researched (cf. syllable-timed features). Neva-néva ambiguity may arise when stress does not clearly indicate which word is being used, and when context cannot be relied upon to distinguish meaning. By exploring these intricacies, this investigation offers insight into how future researchers may approach analysing other English-lexified creoles (and varieties of English) which also use never as a preverbal past tense negator.

A corpus‐based analysis of adjective amplification in Hong Kong, Indian and Philippine English

AbstractThis study considers a corpus‐based approach for analysing adjective amplifier systems (very, really, so, etc.) in Hong Kong English (HKE), Indian Englsih (IndE) and Philippine English (PhiE) based on data from the International Corpus of English. The current study adds to existing research by providing insights into the understudied adjective amplifier systems of Asian Englishes. The study describes the amplifier systems in HKE, IndE and PhiE, and it ascertains if these amplifier systems are undergoing change. In the latter context, the analysis assesses if really or so is replacing very as the dominant adjective amplifier in these varieties—a trend shown to be at work in Inner Circle varieties of English. The results of Conditional Inference Trees show that the amplifier systems of HKE and IndE are very stable and amplifier choice in these varieties is determined predominately by intra‐linguistics factors (adjective type, syntactic context and semantic category). In contrast, the amplifier system of PhiE shows notable signs of ongoing change, which is driven predominately by social factors (age and gender of speakers). The results indicate that during stasis and initial stages of change, language‐internal factors determine amplifier choice, while social factors become more important once changes have reached the midrange. The paper argues that once certain variants (really and so) gain social meaning, it is this social meaning (the association with specific social groups) that drives and accelerates change as speakers want to associate with social groups that carry covert prestige.

Articulatory and acoustic dynamics of fronted back vowels in American English.

Fronting of the vowels /u, ʊ, o/ is observed throughout most North American English varieties, but has been analyzed mainly in terms of acoustics rather than articulation. Because an increase in F2, the acoustic correlate of vowel fronting, can be the result of any gesture that shortens the front cavity of the vocal tract, acoustic data alone do not reveal the combination of tongue fronting and/or lip unrounding that speakers use to produce fronted vowels. It is furthermore unresolved to what extent the articulation of fronted back vowels varies according to consonantal context and how the tongue and lips contribute to the F2 trajectory throughout the vowel. This paper presents articulatory and acoustic data on fronted back vowels from two varieties of American English: coastal Southern California and South Carolina. Through analysis of dynamic acoustic, ultrasound, and lip video data, it is shown that speakers of both varieties produce fronted /u, ʊ, o/ with rounded lips, and that high F2 observed for these vowels is associated with a front-central tongue position rather than unrounded lips. Examination of time-varying formant trajectories and articulatory configurations shows that the degree of vowel-internal F2 change is predominantly determined by coarticulatory influence of the coda.

Thanking Expressions in Spoken Nigerian English: A Conversational Analysis

This paper investigates Conversational Routines of Thanking in Spoken Nigerian English. Everyday utterances are made through the use of language whether spoken or written. Thanking is prevalent basically in conversations. The selected speech acts for this study is thanking. Subjects for this study were drawn from three federal Universities from the South-South Region in Nigeria. They included: University of Uyo, University of Calabar and University of Port Harcourt. Data for this study were collected from three different speech interactions, namely: face-to-face conversations (FTFC), telephone conversations (TC) and vote of thanks (VOT). Data were collected through the use of a mini-tape recorder. Here, a Corpus of conversations were selected using purposive sampling method and surreptitiously collected from strategic points. This enabled the researcher to collect the Corpus in its original form. They were collected at different points where the students meet: lecture halls, hostels, canteens, relaxation centres among others. The framework for the analysis of this study is provided by the Speech Act theory. Frequency of the distribution between the male and female subjects, were calculated using the mean statistical method. This study found out that beyond the main functions of thanking, it also performs an array of other functions. Data have also revealed that the multilingual situation in Nigeria has affected the choices of language use, resulting in features such as code-mixing, slangs, Nigerian English-based pidgin, among others. This study has specifically shown that apart from classifying thanking as expressive speech act, it can further be classified as declarative, commissive and requestive speech acts. Therefore, this study concludes that with regard to thanking, the co-existence of English with other indigenous languages have given rise to linguistic patterns and forms, identifying Nigerian English as a distinct variety of the world Englishes. Keywords: Conversational routines, Thanking, Spoken Nigerian English, Nigerian Identity, Speech Acts.

PINOYLISH: THE AWARENESS AND NOTIONS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NORTHERN LUZON

Pinoylish (Philippine English) has made a mark in the literature, although research on the perspectives of university students on Pinoylish is still scarce. As a result, a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was undertaken to investigate the awareness and notions of 761 university students in Northern Luzon, Philippines. The results revealed that university students were not oblivious; however, they were marginally aware of the meanings, features, and uses of Pinoylish, implying that they do not possess a complete understanding of this variety of English. This study also unveiled that university students disagreed on negative notions while agreeing on positive notions of Pinoylish; this consensus can be interpreted as a positive attitude toward Pinoylish. Drawing on the findings, this study has implications for the pluricentric model of English Language Teaching (ELT) and suggests possible research trajectories.

A topic which I want to know more about – preposition placement in finite WH-relative clauses in World Englishes

The present article analyzes the use of preposition stranding (the world which we live in) and pied-piping (the world in which we live) in finite WH-relative clauses in twelve varieties of English. In the light of previous studies, it assumes that the strength of processing constraints and formality effects that drive speakers’ constructional choices should correlate with Dynamic Model stages (Schneider 2007). However, drawing on data from the International Corpus of English (ICE) and using mixed-effects logistic regression analysis, the study shows that processing factors affect speakers of all Dynamic Model stages in a very similar way. At the same time, clear differences between variety stages are observed with respect to formality and topic, which strongly affect Phases IV and V but not Phase III. These results are interpreted from a Usage-based Construction Grammar perspective.

Study of Linguistic Components of Pakistani English: An Indigenized English Variety

This study explores the linguistic components of Pakistani English (PakE) and how this English variety has been indigenized in linguistically diverse Pakistan. English is recognized as an official language in Pakistan, but it is often taught without appropriate socio-cultural context. The research aims to highlight the development of PakE through examining factors that influence its evolution, and analyze main linguistic features that draw its distinction from British English. The study uses a qualitative methodology, particularly thematic analysis of audio recorded interviews with two university students. Findings of the study reveal clausal, syntactic and lexical features of PakE that deviate from standard British English variety. The findings also demonstrate how PakE speakers code-mix Urdu and English, use unique sentence formations, and transform declarative sentences into interrogatives in casual talk. Moreover, the results imply the need for greater focus on linguistic diversity and importance of inclusion of native socio-cultural contexts in English language education across Pakistan. Additionally, understanding of common features of PakE can help informing language planning and policies focused on endorsing regional linguistic identity. Further research examining additional social, cultural and linguistic variables influencing ongoing development of Pakistani English as an indigenized variety is needed.

Features of Nigerian English in “Everything Good Will Come” by Sefi Atta

This article is directed to study "Features of Nigerian English" in Everything Will Come by Sefi Atta. The English known as Nigerian English (NE) is a variety of English that stands between Pidgin (a grammatically simplified form of a language with elements taken from local languages, used for communication between people not sharing a common language) and the world's standard English. The English used in West Africa reveals varying degrees of vernacular influences at the morphological, syntactic and semantic levels; as well as at the phonological level of spoken and written English. And that may be the reason why in many novels written by Nigerians, we notice some vernacular languages and some forms of deviation in the above-mentioned aspects which all together can be termed as "Nigerian English". The study uses a descriptive research design and the theories adopted are New Criticism and Russian Formalism.

A descriptive study of vowels in Dialects of Pakistani English

The widespread use of English as a lingua franca has created many varieties of Global English. Pakistani English is an under-documented variety. As Pakistan is a multilingual country, it has been a difficult task for the linguists to document the dialects of Pakistani English and to determine how these dialects are influenced by regional languages (e.g. Pashto, Punjabi, Urdu etc.). Previous studies focused on Pakistani English of only a few locations (influenced by only a few regional languages). A broad-based study is required to document the phonetics of Pakistani English. The current study investigates two questions about the Pakistani English vowel system: how much variety there is, and whether the dialects of Pakistani English are influenced by regional languages. Speech data was collected from 208 undergrad students from thirteen cities representing thirteen regional languages of Pakistan (e.g. Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar etc.). Participants read thirty-two words expected to contain monophthongs in initial, medial and final position. Formant measurements are measured automatically in Praat. Preliminary analyses show variation in formant values of vowels in regional dialects; The results will allow for documentation of the vowel space of Pakistani English and will provide a broad representation of Pakistani English dialects.

The contribution of suprasegmental cues to perceived L1 and L2 accent distance

First (L1) and second language (L2) pronunciations that diverge more segmentally from the local accent are rated as more distant. However, fewer studies have addressed relations between suprasegmental features, such as intonation, and accent distance. We examined the relation between perceived accent distance and four suprasegmental measures: time normalized f0 Euclidean distance, mean F0, pitch range, and speaking rate. Thirty adults completed six ladder tasks in which listeners ranked talkers’ perceived distance from the local accent. For each ladder, listeners heard one sentence produced by 24 talkers: one man and one woman from six L1 and six L2 English varieties. Each suprasegmental measure independently predicted distance rankings with a variety of significant interactions. Talkers with higher accent rankings had narrower pitch ranges, lower mean f0, faster speech, and greater f0 Euclidean distance. Furthermore, suprasegmental measures related to accent distance differentially based on syntactic structure. For example, as f0 Euclidean distance increased, accent rankings increased for interrogative sentences, but not for declarative sentences. These data support the need for future studies examining how suprasegmental features impact perception of L1 and L2 accents. [Work supported by NSF grants 1941691 and 1941662].

How rhythmic cues influence perception of accent distance across L1 and L2 English speakers

Segmental and suprasegmental cues can both contribute to listeners’ accent strength and distance judgments. This study examined the influence of a suprasegmental cue—rhythm—on listeners’ judgments of accent distance. Rhythm was quantified using two measures of variability in vocalic interval duration: normalized pairwise variability index (nPVI) and VarcoV. Thirty adults ranked productions from female and male speakers from six L1 and six L2 English varieties (24 speakers) across six sentences based on their perceived distance from Midland American English (the local dialect). Linear mixed effect models predicted accent distance ratings from rhythm measures—specifically, differences in nPVI and VarcoV between the L1/L2 speakers and Midland speakers, with speaking rate and sentence length as covariates. Differences between L1/L2 speakers’ and Midland speakers’ nPVI and VarcoV scores did not significantly predict accent distance rankings. However, significant interactions between nPVI and certain accents (e.g., Irish, Southern American, Cantonese-accented English) suggest that rhythmic properties may significantly impact accent distance judgements for some accent varieties. These results provide further insight into how rhythmic cues contribute to accent perception. [Work supported by NSF grants 1941691 and 1941662].

CONTESTING LINGUISTIC IDENTITIES AND THE PERSISTENCE OF STANDARDISED PRONUNCIATION

Despite a global paradigm shift towards multilingualism and EIL (English as an International Language) in English language education, a stubborn adherence to so-called ‘standardised’ forms of foreign languages persists in non-English language speaking countries. Language teachers, learners and their parents, as much as policy makers and curriculum designers, insist on the adoption of ‘standard’ varieties of English as normative and unquestioned. These expectations are natural, given language users’ awareness of the cultural capital that these standardised forms of pronunciations can afford to them. This paper discusses how formal education, often through the hidden curriculum, reinforces the pressure to conform to standardised pronunciation and how this can negatively implicate language learners’ identities. One may question why a Vietnamese speaker would want to have a distinct ‘American’ or ‘British’ accent when they speak, and what real privileges these bring to them. One may also question why a Vietnamese accent in English, a distinct identity marker, can be deemed to represent less prestigious capital, and whether this may disadvantage them in certain contexts. In discussing the cognitive and cultural benefits of multilingual and culturally responsive instruction, the paper argues that as language educators we need to make our learners aware of their linguistic identities and how intelligible but non-standardised accents of foreign languages can and should be legitimate markers of one’s identity.

Ladz in the Hood: Features of Pasifika English in Drill Rappers from Western Sydney

Despite well-established Pasifika communities in Australia, there has been no examination of the English spoken by members of these communities in the sociolinguistic literature. Yet, research shows that Pasifika English may exhibit key differences from local ‘mainstream’ varieties. In this paper, we present a case study of members of a drill rap group with Pasifika heritage to examine whether Pasifika English features are evident in their speech. We first analyze their monophthong productions and compare these to those of mainstream Australian English speakers. We also analyze their dental fricative realizations to examine whether there is evidence of th-stopping and dh-stopping, commonly described as markers of Pasifika English. Finally, we investigate whether their speech is more syllable-timed than mainstream Australian English. The results show that these speakers produce monophthongs generally consistent with mainstream Australian English vowels, despite some small differences. We also show consistent th-fronting and dh-stopping in their speech, which serves as a marker of their Pasifika heritage. We find a tendency towards more syllable-timed speech; however, this occurs to a lesser extent than has been reported for other Pasifika varieties of English. The results suggest that these speakers index their Pasifika identities by employing indicators/markers of Pasifika English that diverge from mainstream Australian English.

“You are Apple, why are you speaking to me in Turkish?”: the role of English in voice assistant interactions

Abstract This paper investigates the role of English in voice assistant (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant) use from the perspective of language ideology. Major commercial companies in the voice assistant market use English as a training language for their speech technologies and offer the most optimised support for standardised varieties of English. This affects the experiences with voice assistants of speakers of non-European languages, i.e., one of the non-target audiences. Drawing on qualitative interview data from Turkish-speaking users who migrated to Germany, the present study reveals that the participants iconize English as the “standard” language in digital contexts, constructing it as the “original” language of speaking computers. By conducting an inductive analysis, the article demonstrates that not only the lack of technological support, but also specific discourses about Artificial Intelligence, impact perceptions of English. These developments have implications for our understandings of prestige and digital literacy in human-machine interactions.

Analysis of forced aligner performance on L2 English speech

There is growing interest in how speech technologies perform on L2 speech. Largely omitted from this discussion are tools used in the early data processing steps, such as forced aligners, that can introduce errors and biases. This study adds to the conversation and tests how well a model pre-trained for the alignment of L1 American English speech performs on L2 English speech. We test and discuss the impact of language variety, demographic factors, and segment type on the performance of the forced aligner. We also examine systematic errors encountered.Forty-five speakers representing nine L2 varieties were selected from the Speech Accent Archive and force aligned using the Montreal Forced Aligner. The phoneme-level boundary placements were manually corrected in order to assess differences between the automatic and manual alignments. Results show marked variation in the performance across language groups and segment types for the two metrics used to assess accuracy: Onset Boundary Displacement, a distance metric between the automatic and manual boundary placements, and Overlap Rate, which indicates to what extent the automatically aligned segment overlaps with the manually aligned segment. The highest accuracy on both measures was obtained for German and French, and lowest accuracy for Russian. The aligner's performance on all varieties was comparable to that on conversational American English and non-standard varieties of English. Furthermore, the percentage of boundary placements within 10 and 20 ms of the corrected boundary was similar to that observed between transcribers. Apart from errors due to variety mismatch, most issues encountered in the alignment were due to issues not exclusive to L2 speech such as inaccurate orthographic transcriptions, hesitations, specific voice qualities, and background noise.The results of this study can inform the use of automatic aligners on L2 English speech and provide a baseline of potential errors and information to help the development of more robust alignment tools for further development of automatic systems using L2 English.

Language attitudes toward Global Englishes: Is Thai accented English our identity?

This study examines language attitudes toward Global Englishes (GE) among employees of multinational companies in Thailand’s Chonburi and Rayong provinces. Sequential mixed-method research is applied. The survey questionnaires were first distributed and a total of 120 participants responded. The participants were employees in multinational companies and used English as their primary working language. The analysis of questionnaires revealed a prevailing inclination towards native speakerism while acknowledging the importance of GE in the global workplace. Participants demonstrated proficiency in communicating with both native and non-native English speakers. An in-depth interview approach is used with 10 informants for confirming or disconfirming the survey results. However, interviews highlight a complex attitude towards GE, particularly among high-ranking individuals who strongly adhere to standard English ideology. Nonetheless, a significant number of participants recommended introducing GE concepts to Thai students as a valuable step towards familiarizing them with diverse English varieties. This recognition of the need to prepare the next generation for a globalized world is encouraging. The prevalence of native speakerism underscores the urgency of addressing language attitudes and promoting linguistic inclusivity within the global workplace. By fostering on cultural awareness and embracing linguistic diversity, we can create a more inclusive environment that appreciates and values different English accents and expressions. This study highlights the ongoing importance of these efforts in promoting a comprehensive understanding of GE and nurturing a global mindset among individuals and institutions alike.

Investigating English textbooks used in Taiwanese senior high schools from an ELF perspective

English textbooks are the major learning resources for Taiwanese students to gain access to the target language. This study examines the English textbooks used in senior high schools (Grade 10 to Grade 12) in Taiwan from the perspective of English as a lingua franca (ELF). To prepare students to use English for international communication, it is worthwhile to examine how English textbooks incorporate an ELF orientation. Through textbook analysis, I investigated the following questions: (1) how the English textbooks used in senior high schools in Taiwan integrate an ELF perspective, and (2) how ELF attributes are manifested in the textbooks through various subject matter, exercises, and activities. The study finds that the examined textbooks partially incorporated an ELF orientation, and the ELF attributes were manifested to different extents. The main ELF attributes in the textbooks were helping learners understand the use of ELF and encouraging English use in relation to learners’ experiences and localities. Additionally, the study reveals that the ELF attributes were displayed in various types of activities and exercises, while the subject matter of the textbook units covered a wide range of topics. In light of the findings, I make suggestions for the development of ELF-oriented textbooks at the senior high school level, such as helping English learners to understand the use of ELF by introducing English varieties, encouraging the use of intercultural communication strategies, taking into account of learners’ experience in learning English, and promoting learners’ awareness of ELF.

Role of Word Formation in the Development of Lexicon of Pakistani English

Pakistani English is a non-native variety of English that emerged by the amalgam of British Standard English and native languages of Pakistan. It is one of the varieties of World Englishes that is globally recognized. It has its own morphology, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics. It includes vocabulary and linguistic elements of local Languages with cultural norms, values, and tradition of Pakistani society. This paper explores the role of word formation in the development of the lexicon of Pakistani English. It provides insights into the processes such as compounding, affixation, loan translation, hybridization, and conversion by which words emerge and integrate into the lexicon of Pakistani English. It also investigates sociolinguistics factors such as culture, register of Islam and impact of local languages that contribute to the development of the unique variety of Pakistani English.