A Sociophonological Approach to Understanding Language Variation in Suffolk

位于东安格利亚的萨福克方言是完全独特的。虽然这一领域的传统方言研究已经发生（ko<s:1> keritz, 1932），但从那时起，人们就严重依赖SED（1969）和Trudgill（1974）的早期工作。因此，对萨福克方言进行更全面的记录，不仅有助于我们了解该县的社会和语言发展，而且有助于我们对该地区有更深入的了解。通过在全国范围内收集的采访，我打算通过音韵学和社会语言学理论来记录和分析口语方言数据。社会音韵学方法在该地区也是一项独特的工作，它可以更好地理解语言变化中的社会动机和理论动机之间的联系。根据我在硕士阶段的研究，有几个现象值得研究。这些包括;元音平滑，元音中和，元音下降和合并，以及声门化。然而，由于数据分析将以自然的会话数据为指导，因此在数据收集后将考虑变量进行分析。Trudgill（1974）声称在东盎格鲁英语中存在一种语音上的限制，即弱读元音可能是唯一出现在非重读辅音最后一个音节中的元音。这为进一步的方言约束提供了可能。虽然这些语言现象可以用理论框架来解释，比如最优性理论，但我希望探索其他框架来展示语言差异。作为一个以方言为母语的人，我不仅对这一领域有着深刻的理解和浓厚的兴趣，而且我在本科和研究生期间都在萨福克进行了实地研究，表现出了强烈的承诺。因此，我已经开始建立一个采访资料库。出于伦理考虑，我不打算采访18岁以下的儿童，也不打算采访那些被认为是“弱势”的社会成员。因此，我只需要对在低风险环境中进行的剩余访谈进行伦理批准。我希望在第一年完成所有数据收集，在这一点上，可行的变量将被确定，同时参加会议并完成相关的背景阅读。我的目标是在第二年准备好试点/临时数据。定量分析方法将使我能够从数据中形成事实并揭示模式。我也相信，通过面对面的访谈，我将获得一系列重要的定性信息，以进一步了解我观察到的任何模式。一旦在第二年完成数据分析，我将开始撰写完整的分析并应用理论框架作为我对数据模式解释的一部分。因此，我的论文将在全职工作的三年内完成。关于培训，我将要求教授使用统计程序(R)和声学程序（如PRAAT）的培训。然而，后者只有在我的分析中需要特别注意某些声音模式时才有必要。

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.