Rural and non-rural variation between [y] and [u] in the Achterhoeks dialect

Pattison, Melody ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8499-0497 2017. Rural and non-rural variation between [y] and [u] in the Achterhoeks dialect. York Papers in Linguistics YPL2 (15)

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Abstract

The Achterhoek region is found in the eastern Netherlands, bordering Germany. The dialect of the region, Achterhoeks, is a Low Saxon dialect spoken amongst many inhabitants of the region. It differs markedly from Standard Dutch in its phonology, grammar and lexicon. Lexical differences observed from town to town are common (cf. Schaars, 1984-; Van Prooije, 2011), however there have been fewer studies on specific pronunciation differences. This research considers the pronunciation of the monophthongs [y] and [u] in the Achterhoek region, which typically correspond to [œy] in the Standard Dutch phonological system. Previous studies (eg. Kloeke, 1927; Van Reenen, 2005; 2006) have shown a variable use of [y] and [u] in this area of the Netherlands. However, this research follows on from previous studies by considering the links between rural and non-rural pronunciation. Variations in the position of the vowel following rhotics were observed in 34 Achterhoeks speakers. Grouped into age, gender, and location, and measured through normalised formant frequencies, the more retracted vowel [u] was observed in rural speakers, whereas the fronted vowel [y] was seen in non-rural speakers. Where the vowel appeared in any position other than following the rhotic consonant, it was realised as [y], without any observable differences between speakers.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	English, Communication and Philosophy
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics P Language and Literature > PB Modern European Languages P Language and Literature > PD Germanic languages P Language and Literature > PF West Germanic
Publisher:	Department of Language and Linguistic Science, University of York
ISSN:	1759-0315
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 December 2024
Date of Acceptance:	2017
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2024 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/173274

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