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Acoustic Phonetic Analysis of the Southern Dialects of English: Texas Speech
Caroline Story, Dr. Augustine Agwuele
Department of Anthropology, Texas State University
Preface
Part of a larger study factoring for residency
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What kind of accent do I have?
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“
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Vowel Quadrilateral
Monophthongization
Diphthong
as in “mice”
Monophthong
as in “mass”
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aɪ
a
/’æksɛnt/
A result of language exposure, oral posture,
and carried by vowels
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Introduction
The theory of language change
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Abstract
Goals
Understand the pattern through which the Texas accent is shifting as a function of generation.
Methodology
Results
A present, ongoing shift in the Texas accent speech pattern.
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Methodology
[i, ɪ, eɪ, aɪ, oʊ]
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2
[i]
[ɪ]
[eɪ]
[aɪ]
[oʊ]
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Participants
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| M20 | M57 | F22 | F58 |
Sex | Male | Male | Female | Female |
Age | 20 | 57 | 22 | 58 |
Place of Origin | Midland | Houston | Houston | Austin |
Results
Acoustic phonetic analysis
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Vowel frequency deviations = Perceptive difference
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The F1 rule- the lower the tongue and jaw position, the higher the frequency produced.
The F2 rule- the more front the tongue is placed, the higher the frequency produced.
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F2
F1
Figure 3.1: Plot of observed average F1 and F2 values relative to older male (M57) and younger male (M20) corresponding vowel frequencies.
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Figure 3.2: Plot of observed average F1 and F2 values relative to older female (F58) and younger female (F22) corresponding vowel frequencies.
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Figure 3.3: Summary plot of comparative older (50+) and younger (25-) resulting values.
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50+ 25-
oʊ
oʊ
aɪ
aɪ
eɪ
eɪ
ɪ
ɪ
i
i
Discussion &�Conclusion
Y’all’s accent is changing
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There is clear evidence to propose an ongoing, generational shift in the speech pattern representative of the Texas accent.
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Implications
Patterns of change
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Factors that influence change
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Culture
External Exposure
Individual Attitudes
Thank you!
Any questions ?
You can also find me at
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References
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