A Sociophonological Approach to Understanding Language Variation in Suffolk

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Nestled in East Anglia, the Suffolk dialect is wholly unique. Whilst traditional dialectal studies ofthis area have taken place (Koûkeritz, 1932), there has since been a heavy reliance upon earlierwork from both the SED (1969) and Trudgill (1974). Therefore, a more thorough documentation ofthe Suffolk dialect would contribute, not only to our understanding of the social and linguisticdevelopment of the county, but also provide greater depth of knowledge regarding the region. Informed by interviews collected across the county, I intend to document and analyse spokendialect data through phonological and sociolinguistic theory. A sociophonological approach wouldalso be a unique undertaking in this region and provide a better understanding of the links betweensocio and theoretical motivations in language change. Based on my research at Masters level, there are several phenomena worthy of investigation.These include; vowel smoothing, vowel neutralisation, yod dropping and coalescence, andglottalisation. However, as data analysis will be guided by naturalistic conversational data,variables will be considered for analysis following data collection. Trudgill (1974) claimed that thereis a phonotactic constraint present in East Anglian English stating that the schwa may be the onlyvowel present in an unstressed consonant final syllable. This opens the possibility of further dialectconstraints. Whilst linguistic phenomena such as these can be explained using theoretical frameworks, suchas Optimality Theory, I look to explore alternative frameworks to demonstrate linguistic variation. As a native speaker of the dialect, I not only have a deep understanding and keen interest in thisarea, but I have shown a strong commitment by conducting field research in Suffolk during bothmy undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. I therefore have already begun to build up a corpusof interviews. Regarding ethical considerations, I have no plans to interview children under the age of 18, and Ido not intend to interview those who are considered 'vulnerable' members of society. I thereforewould only require ethical approval for the remaining interviews I need to carry out in low risksettings. I look to complete all data collection within the first year, at which point, viable variables will beidentified, whilst attending conferences and completing the relevant background reading. I aim tohave pilot/provisional data ready to present during year two. A quantitative approach to analysiswill allow me to formulate facts and uncover patterns from the data. I also believe that inconducting face-to-face-interviews, I will acquire a range of important qualitative information tofurther inform any patterns I observe. Once data analysis has been completed in year two, I willembark on writing the full analysis and applying a theoretical framework as part of my explanationof data patterns. As a result, my thesis will be completed within three years working full time. With respect to training, I would require tuition in the use of statistical programmes (R), andtraining in acoustic programmes, such as PRAAT. However, the latter would only be necessary ifcertain vocalic patterns required special attention within my analysis.