Voice quality and coda /r/ in Glasgow English in the early 20th century

Sóskuthy, M. and Stuart-Smith, J. (2020) Voice quality and coda /r/ in Glasgow English in the early 20th century. Language Variation and Change, 32(2), pp. 133-157. (doi: 10.1017/S0954394520000071)

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Abstract

We present acoustic and auditory analyses of changes to coda /r/ and voice quality in Glasgow English in the early twentieth century. Our initial acoustic analysis suggests that /r/ was weakening across the board based on an increase in F3. However, an auditory analysis of the same data finds no significant changes. An acoustic analysis of the same speakers’ vowels reveals that the shift in F3 is not unique to /r/. It reflects a change in voice quality, which we link to velarization using Vocal Profile Analysis. We then reanalyze the acoustic /r/ data, controlling for voice quality, and find only moderate changes that are restricted to females. These findings provide new evidence for diachronic changes in voice quality, contribute to our understanding of the development of /r/ in Glasgow English, and highlight the importance of investigating speech sounds in their broader context using multiple methodologies.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stuart-Smith, Professor Jane
Authors: Sóskuthy, M., and Stuart-Smith, J.
Subjects:P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
P Language and Literature > PE English
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > English Language and Linguistics
Journal Name:Language Variation and Change
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0954-3945
ISSN (Online):1469-8021
Published Online:27 July 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Language Variation and Change 32(2):133-157
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
190406Fine phonetic variation and sound change: a real-time study of GlaswegianJane Stuart-SmithLeverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)RPG-142Arts - English Language and Linguistics