Pronunciation and identity: Vowel and consonant tendencies in Northern English dialects

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a complex phonetic experiment including the auditory and acoustic types of analysis of unprepared speech produced by the residents of northern cities of England (Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle). The aim of the study is to identify markers of regional and social identity of the informants on the segmental level of the language system. The work’s value lies in the fact that pro-nunciation is viewed as a means of conscious linguistic self-identification for native speakers, who attach great significance to accent as a source of regional and cultural pride. The data obtained allow the researcher to assert that the North of England is a dialectal unity, opposed to both - Received Pronunciation and other regional accents. From this perspective, the identified supra-dialect vowel features may serve as signs of the regional identity of Northern Englishmen, while consonant features in their speech may act as markers of social identity, indirectly indicating the socio-economic status of the speaker.

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