Home Linguistics & Semiotics 13 Variation and change in the NURSE vowel in Trinidadian English: An apparent-time analysis of adolescent and adult speakers
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13 Variation and change in the NURSE vowel in Trinidadian English: An apparent-time analysis of adolescent and adult speakers

  • Philipp Meer
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Acquisition and Variation in World Englishes
This chapter is in the book Acquisition and Variation in World Englishes

Abstract

US American English (AmE) influence has been identified as a potential force in variation and change in postcolonial Englishes. Adolescents are typically not examined in this context despite their crucial role in language variation and change and possibly greater exposure to AmE via digital media. Drawing on sociophonetic data from 65 secondary students and 35 teachers, the present study investigates rhotacization of the NURSE vowel in Trinidadian English (TrinE), an incipient sound change that has previously been linked to younger speakers and AmE influence. The results show that NURSE-rhotacization is led by male and female speakers associated with prestige schools - not necessarily adolescents per se but younger Trinidadians. Additionally, speakers do not draw on rhotacization to approximate an AmE vowel target but integrate this feature into their speech. Bearing in mind related findings on speech perception, the findings suggest that AmE influence is unlikely to be the only reason for increasing levels of rhotacization. More generally, the findings highlight the importance of adolescents and younger adults in variation and change in Caribbean and other postcolonial Englishes.

Abstract

US American English (AmE) influence has been identified as a potential force in variation and change in postcolonial Englishes. Adolescents are typically not examined in this context despite their crucial role in language variation and change and possibly greater exposure to AmE via digital media. Drawing on sociophonetic data from 65 secondary students and 35 teachers, the present study investigates rhotacization of the NURSE vowel in Trinidadian English (TrinE), an incipient sound change that has previously been linked to younger speakers and AmE influence. The results show that NURSE-rhotacization is led by male and female speakers associated with prestige schools - not necessarily adolescents per se but younger Trinidadians. Additionally, speakers do not draw on rhotacization to approximate an AmE vowel target but integrate this feature into their speech. Bearing in mind related findings on speech perception, the findings suggest that AmE influence is unlikely to be the only reason for increasing levels of rhotacization. More generally, the findings highlight the importance of adolescents and younger adults in variation and change in Caribbean and other postcolonial Englishes.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. 1 The current role of children and adolescents in World Englishes research 1
  4. Part I: Language in the family
  5. 2 Language among Trinidadian-heritage children raised in diaspora 13
  6. 3 Language use patterns and strategies for children’s English language development: Insights from Chinese descendant mothers in multilingual Malaysia 37
  7. 4 Family language policies in Thailand: Multiliteracy practices and Global Englishes 59
  8. 5 Parental language ideologies and children’s language use in Singapore – raising speakers of “Standard” English? 83
  9. Part II: Language acquisition and language learning in multilingual contexts
  10. 6 Syntactic and lexical complexity in CLIL and EFL written production: Evidence for ELF as a WEs paradigm in Turkey 111
  11. 7 Investigating child language acquisition from a joint perspective: A comparison of traditional and new L1 speakers of English 133
  12. 8 Speech rhythm in Cameroon English: A cross-generational study 159
  13. 9 From second to first language: Language shift in Singapore and Ireland 177
  14. Part III: Attitudes and identity
  15. 10 Children’s language attitudes in a World Englishes community: A focus on St. Kitts 205
  16. 11 Youth identity as linguistic identity: Political engagement and language acquisition and use in Hong Kong 227
  17. 12 Varieties of English and Third Culture Kids in Hong Kong 255
  18. 13 Variation and change in the NURSE vowel in Trinidadian English: An apparent-time analysis of adolescent and adult speakers 279
  19. 14 How linguistically tolerant or insecure are school-aged children? A matched-guise, gamified approach for 6- to 12-year-olds in Canada 307
  20. 15 Caught between languages and cultures: Exploring linguistic and cultural identity among Maldivian adolescents 335
  21. Part IV: Summary and discussion
  22. 16 Conclusion and envoi: Language acquisition at the intersection of sociolinguistics and World Englishes research 361
  23. Index 379
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110733723-013

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. 1 The current role of children and adolescents in World Englishes research 1
  4. Part I: Language in the family
  5. 2 Language among Trinidadian-heritage children raised in diaspora 13
  6. 3 Language use patterns and strategies for children’s English language development: Insights from Chinese descendant mothers in multilingual Malaysia 37
  7. 4 Family language policies in Thailand: Multiliteracy practices and Global Englishes 59
  8. 5 Parental language ideologies and children’s language use in Singapore – raising speakers of “Standard” English? 83
  9. Part II: Language acquisition and language learning in multilingual contexts
  10. 6 Syntactic and lexical complexity in CLIL and EFL written production: Evidence for ELF as a WEs paradigm in Turkey 111
  11. 7 Investigating child language acquisition from a joint perspective: A comparison of traditional and new L1 speakers of English 133
  12. 8 Speech rhythm in Cameroon English: A cross-generational study 159
  13. 9 From second to first language: Language shift in Singapore and Ireland 177
  14. Part III: Attitudes and identity
  15. 10 Children’s language attitudes in a World Englishes community: A focus on St. Kitts 205
  16. 11 Youth identity as linguistic identity: Political engagement and language acquisition and use in Hong Kong 227
  17. 12 Varieties of English and Third Culture Kids in Hong Kong 255
  18. 13 Variation and change in the NURSE vowel in Trinidadian English: An apparent-time analysis of adolescent and adult speakers 279
  19. 14 How linguistically tolerant or insecure are school-aged children? A matched-guise, gamified approach for 6- to 12-year-olds in Canada 307
  20. 15 Caught between languages and cultures: Exploring linguistic and cultural identity among Maldivian adolescents 335
  21. Part IV: Summary and discussion
  22. 16 Conclusion and envoi: Language acquisition at the intersection of sociolinguistics and World Englishes research 361
  23. Index 379
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