Analysing the speech rhythm of New Englishes
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Robert Fuchs
Abstract
Most New Englishes are classified as syllable-timed and many L1 varieties of English as stress-timed. However, much empirical work on varieties of English and other languages has shown that a categorical distinction between discrete rhythm classes is not commensurate with the empirical evidence. Moreover, the comparability of published research is hampered by a lack of methodological standardization. This chapter provides a step-by-step guide for researchers and charts new avenues for future enquiries, illustrated with a case study comparing Pakistani, Nigerian, Philippine, and British English. Results indicate that the first three can be described as more syllable-timed than British English, but also that a binary classification of syllable- vs. stress-timed does not fully do justice to the results.
Abstract
Most New Englishes are classified as syllable-timed and many L1 varieties of English as stress-timed. However, much empirical work on varieties of English and other languages has shown that a categorical distinction between discrete rhythm classes is not commensurate with the empirical evidence. Moreover, the comparability of published research is hampered by a lack of methodological standardization. This chapter provides a step-by-step guide for researchers and charts new avenues for future enquiries, illustrated with a case study comparing Pakistani, Nigerian, Philippine, and British English. Results indicate that the first three can be described as more syllable-timed than British English, but also that a binary classification of syllable- vs. stress-timed does not fully do justice to the results.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- New Englishes new methods 1
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Part I. Corpora
- Verbal past inflection in Nigerian English 16
- Functions of code-switching in online registers of Pakistani English 42
- New Englishes and Conversation Analysis 65
- Creole and power 84
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Part II. Phonetics and phonology
- Question intonation patterns in Nigerian English 108
- Analysing the speech rhythm of New Englishes 132
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Part III. Language attitudes
- Acceptability Judgement Tasks in New Englishes research 158
- Mixed methods in the mapping of accent perceptions in Indian varieties of English 178
- Mapping perceptions in New Englishes 201
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Part IV. Ethnography
- Understanding, collecting, and presenting data in New Englishes research 222
- Complicating the field 243
- Conclusion 263
- Index 275
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- New Englishes new methods 1
-
Part I. Corpora
- Verbal past inflection in Nigerian English 16
- Functions of code-switching in online registers of Pakistani English 42
- New Englishes and Conversation Analysis 65
- Creole and power 84
-
Part II. Phonetics and phonology
- Question intonation patterns in Nigerian English 108
- Analysing the speech rhythm of New Englishes 132
-
Part III. Language attitudes
- Acceptability Judgement Tasks in New Englishes research 158
- Mixed methods in the mapping of accent perceptions in Indian varieties of English 178
- Mapping perceptions in New Englishes 201
-
Part IV. Ethnography
- Understanding, collecting, and presenting data in New Englishes research 222
- Complicating the field 243
- Conclusion 263
- Index 275
