Phonetic and Sociolinguistic Dynamics of Vowel Variation in Hiberno-English: An Acoustic Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to establish phonetic and sociolinguistic aspects of Hiberno-English with a focus on vowel variation. Utilizing a three-pronged methodology encompassing a literature review, data collection through high-quality audio equipment, and descriptive analysis via software tools like Praat and Audacity, the research identifies significant phonetic shifts in vowels such as /ɪ/, /ɑ:/, and /æ/ that clearly distinguish Hiberno-English.  These variations in sounds are shaped by social, geographical, and cultural factors. This shows the impact of the phonetics on sociolinguistics and the formation of dialects. The novel method, mixing isolated vowel articulation, formal elocution, and unrehearsed dialogues, offers an overall understanding of Hiberno-English vowel sounds. The results show that Hiberno-English phonetics are undergoing a process of evolution, taking their cue from globalization, media, and migration, which points to a dynamic dialect in which new elements have been introduced without losing their character. The thematic analysis explores the sociolinguistic setting of Ireland, looking at the case of regional dialects, social mobility, globalization, and code-switching. By comparing the acquired data against standards, such as those supplied by Ladefoged (2006), this research contributes to comparative phonetics and, in general, the linguistic discipline.

Read more!