I chose to write a term paper on the New Zealand accent because I
plan to travel around the country in the near future. Therefore it is very
interesting for me to know a little bit more about the variety which is spoken
there. While I was reading different books, I learned that New Zealand
English is, on the one hand, a variety which is spoken all over the country
without any regional dialects, but on the same time, there might be a
vernacular that is spoken by the Maoris, the original inhabitants of New
Zealand.
As I would like to get to know the country and its people as well, I
think it would be best to look at both varieties. In this way, I hope to get a
general overview of the situation, for the Maoris are a minority in New
Zealand and their language is in danger of dying out. But as is nearly always
the case when one language is replaced by a second, as was Maori by
English, they will be influenced by each other. Therefore it is my concern to
work out some differences between New Zealand English (NZE) and the
English used by the Maoris (Maori Vernacular English (MVE)).
To have a basis on which I can present these possible findings, I
want to compare the New Zealand accent to RP, which I know best.
The structure of the term paper will be divided into three parts. The first part
will give a general overview of the origin of the New Zealand accent. The
second part will concentrate on the New Zealand accent in comparison to
RP.The focus here will be on the three short front vowels and two
diphthongs which make the New Zealand accent distinctive from other
varieties. The third part will give a short overview of the situation of the
Maori language and will show similarities to and differences from the
general New Zealand accent. In addition, a case study will be looked at to
underline distinctive features.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The New Zealand Accent
- Short Vowels
- The KIT vowel
- The DRESS and TRAP vowels
- Diphthongs AIR/EAR
- Maori Vernacular English
- A case study
- I-decentralisation
- U-fronting
- A case study
- Conclusion
- Literature
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the New Zealand accent, comparing it to Received Pronunciation (RP) and examining the influence of Maori Vernacular English (MVE). The author's personal interest in traveling to New Zealand motivates this study.
- Origins of the New Zealand accent and competing theories (mixing-bowl vs. single origin).
- Comparison of New Zealand English pronunciation with RP, focusing on short vowels and diphthongs.
- The status of the Maori language and its interaction with New Zealand English.
- Distinctive features of Maori Vernacular English.
- The historical development of the New Zealand accent as evidenced by written and recorded sources.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the author's motivation for studying the New Zealand accent, stemming from an upcoming trip to the country. It highlights the dual focus of the paper: examining both the standard New Zealand English accent and the influence of Maori Vernacular English (MVE), acknowledging the endangerment of the Maori language and its interaction with the dominant English variety. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, previewing the comparison of the New Zealand accent to RP and a detailed exploration of MVE.
The New Zealand Accent: This chapter delves into the origins of the New Zealand accent, exploring various theories, including fanciful explanations like hay fever and ill-fitting dentures, alongside more serious proposals. The "mixing-bowl theory" suggests a merging of dialects from various immigrant groups, while the "single origin theory" posits a derivation from Cockney English. The chapter critically examines the evidence for both theories, referencing historical immigration data and written accounts of the developing accent, noting discrepancies between proposed origins and available data. The chapter concludes by discussing the early written and recorded documentation of the New Zealand accent, emphasizing the challenges in representing its unique sounds using conventional orthography before the widespread adoption of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
Short Vowels: This chapter focuses on a detailed analysis of specific short vowels in New Zealand English. While the specifics of the KIT, DRESS, and TRAP vowels are not explicitly elaborated here, the overall aim is to provide a comparative analysis against RP, highlighting how variations in vowel pronunciation distinguish the New Zealand accent from other English varieties. The analysis likely employs phonetic transcription and articulatory descriptions to pinpoint the distinctive features of these vowels in the New Zealand context. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the phonetic particularities of the accent.
Diphthongs AIR/EAR: This section would deeply analyze the pronunciation of the diphthongs /eə/ (as in “air”) and /ɪə/ (as in “ear”) in New Zealand English, comparing them to their counterparts in RP. It would likely detail the specific phonetic characteristics of these diphthongs in the New Zealand accent and discuss their historical development and any unique features. The chapter's purpose is to further refine the phonetic distinctions between New Zealand English and other English varieties.
Maori Vernacular English: This chapter provides an overview of Maori Vernacular English (MVE), exploring its linguistic features and its relationship to both standard New Zealand English and the Maori language. The chapter includes a case study that examines specific phonetic features of MVE, such as I-decentralisation and U-fronting, illustrating the mutual influence between Maori and English. This section likely presents detailed phonetic descriptions and analyzes the sociolinguistic context surrounding the use of MVE, highlighting its significance as a marker of identity and cultural heritage.
Keywords
New Zealand English, Received Pronunciation (RP), Maori Vernacular English (MVE), short vowels, diphthongs, phonetic analysis, language contact, language endangerment, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Overview of the New Zealand Accent
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the New Zealand English accent, comparing it to Received Pronunciation (RP) and examining the significant influence of Maori Vernacular English (MVE).
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The document covers an introduction, an exploration of the New Zealand accent itself, a detailed analysis of short vowels (KIT, DRESS, TRAP), an examination of the diphthongs AIR/EAR, a dedicated section on Maori Vernacular English (including a case study on I-decentralisation and U-fronting), a conclusion, and a literature section.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
The key objectives are to provide an overview of the New Zealand accent, compare it to RP, and analyze the influence of MVE. Themes include the origins of the New Zealand accent (mixing-bowl vs. single origin theories), a comparative analysis of pronunciation focusing on short vowels and diphthongs, the status and interaction of the Maori language with New Zealand English, the distinctive features of MVE, and the historical development of the New Zealand accent.
What does each chapter summarize?
The Introduction sets the stage, outlining the author's motivation and the dual focus on standard New Zealand English and MVE. The New Zealand Accent chapter delves into the origins of the accent, exploring competing theories and historical evidence. Short Vowels focuses on a comparative analysis of specific short vowels against RP. Diphthongs AIR/EAR provides a detailed phonetic analysis of these diphthongs. Maori Vernacular English offers an overview of MVE, including a case study on I-decentralisation and U-fronting.
What is Maori Vernacular English (MVE), and how is it discussed in this document?
Maori Vernacular English (MVE) is a variety of English spoken in New Zealand that shows the influence of the Maori language. The document explores its linguistic features, its relationship to standard New Zealand English and the Maori language, and includes a case study examining specific phonetic features like I-decentralisation and U-fronting.
What are the key words associated with this document?
Key words include New Zealand English, Received Pronunciation (RP), Maori Vernacular English (MVE), short vowels, diphthongs, phonetic analysis, language contact, language endangerment, historical linguistics, and sociolinguistics.
What is the author's motivation for writing this document?
The author's personal interest in an upcoming trip to New Zealand motivated the study of the New Zealand accent.
What methodologies are employed in this study?
The study employs phonetic analysis, comparing the pronunciation of New Zealand English to Received Pronunciation (RP), and utilizes historical linguistic analysis to trace the development of the accent. Sociolinguistic perspectives are also incorporated to understand the context and significance of Maori Vernacular English.
What are the competing theories regarding the origins of the New Zealand accent?
The document discusses the "mixing-bowl theory," suggesting a blend of dialects from various immigrant groups, and the "single origin theory," proposing a derivation from Cockney English. The document critically examines the evidence for both.
How does this document address the issue of language endangerment?
The document acknowledges the endangerment of the Maori language and explores its interaction with the dominant English variety in New Zealand, particularly through the analysis of Maori Vernacular English (MVE).
- Quote paper
- Ann-Kathleen Kraetzig (Author), 2004, New Zealand Accent in contrast to RP, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22473
