Northern English dialects : a perceptual approach
Perceptual dialectology has the capacity to deliver a great many benefits to the study of language varieties. It also allows examination of the underlying factors in dialect use such as the âbeliefs, attitudes and strategies' (Preston, 1999: xxiii) which make up language users' reactions to language varieties. In this way it has the potential to ask questions of identity and explore the reasons for dialect loyalty as well as complementing other research in the field of language variation and change. Using a perceptual framework, this research investigates the relationship between the north and south of England and gains access to some of the key concepts which affect informants' view of this important social, cultural and historical relationship. Perceptions of salient dialect areas are also assessed using informants from three locations in the north of England via the completion of a draw-a-map task (Preston, 1999: xxxiv). Many of the factors which impact on the perception of dialect areas are discussed, with phenomena of proximity and cultural salience demonstrating an important role. An analysis of informants' reactions to voice samples from across England is also undertaken using methods adapted from
Montgomery, Chris
Northern English dialects : a perceptual approach. Perceptual dialectology has the capacity to deliver a great many benefits to the study of language varieties. It also allows examination of the underlying factors in dialect use such as the âbeliefs, attitudes and strategies' (Preston, 1999: xxiii) which make up language users' reactions to language varieties. In this way it has the potential to ask questions of identity and explore the reasons for dialect loyalty as well as complementing other research in the field of language variation and change. Using a perceptual framework, this research investigates the relationship between the north and south of England and gains access to some of the key concepts which affect informants' view of this important social, cultural and historical relationship. Perceptions of salient dialect areas are also assessed using informants from three locations in the north of England via the completion of a draw-a-map task (Preston, 1999: xxxiv). Many of the factors which impact on the perception of dialect areas are discussed, with phenomena of proximity and cultural salience demonstrating an important role. An analysis of informants' reactions to voice samples from across England is also undertaken using methods adapted from
northern english dialect perceptual approach perceptual dialectology capacity deliver great_many benefit study language_variety also_allow examination underlie factor dialect use belief_attitude strategy make language_user reaction language_variety way potential ask_question identity explore reason dialect loyalty well complement field language variation_change using perceptual framework investigate_relationship north_south england gain_access key_concept affect informant view important social_cultural historical relationship perceptions salient dialect area also_assess use informant location north_england via completion draw map_task many_factor impact perception dialect area discuss phenomena proximity cultural salience demonstrate important_role analysis informant reaction voice sample across_england also undertake use method adapt