New Zealand Accent in contrast to RP

Term Paper , 2004 , 21 Pages , Grade: 2,5 (B)

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

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.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
• CONCLUSION
• LITERATURE

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper aims to provide an overview of the New Zealand accent, comparing it to Received Pronunciation (RP), and investigating the influence of Maori Vernacular English (MVE) on the broader New Zealand English (NZE) spoken in the country. The paper seeks to explore the historical development of the New Zealand accent and identify distinctive features of its pronunciation. It also delves into the situation of the Maori language and analyzes how it has been influenced by English.

• The origin and evolution of the New Zealand accent
• Comparison of the New Zealand accent to RP
• Distinctive features of the New Zealand accent, particularly short front vowels and diphthongs
• The influence of Maori Vernacular English on New Zealand English
• The situation of the Maori language and its impact on New Zealand English

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter outlines the author's interest in the New Zealand accent and the motivation for writing this term paper. It introduces the key focus of the paper: comparing NZE to RP and exploring the impact of MVE on NZE.
• The New Zealand Accent: This chapter explores the origin and development of the New Zealand accent. It examines two major theories: the mixing-bowl theory and the single origin theory. The chapter also discusses early written sources and recordings of New Zealand speech that provide insights into the development of the accent.
• Short Vowels: This chapter focuses on three short front vowels in New Zealand English, comparing them to RP. It discusses variations in vowel pronunciation and their impact on the distinctiveness of the New Zealand accent.
• Diphthongs AIR/EAR: This chapter explores the pronunciation of the diphthongs "AIR" and "EAR" in New Zealand English, contrasting them with their pronunciation in RP. The chapter highlights the distinctive features of these diphthongs in the New Zealand accent.
• Maori Vernacular English: This chapter introduces Maori Vernacular English and its relationship to the broader New Zealand English. It explores the impact of the Maori language on New Zealand English and examines specific features of MVE, including "I-decentralisation" and "U-fronting".

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This term paper examines key aspects of the New Zealand accent, including its historical development, distinctive features, and the influence of Maori Vernacular English. Important themes explored include the mixing-bowl theory, single origin theory, short front vowels, diphthongs, and the impact of language contact on both NZE and MVE. The paper focuses on providing a comparative analysis of the New Zealand accent with RP, highlighting its unique characteristics and how it has evolved over time.

• College: Bielefeld University (Anglistics Institute)
• Grade: 2,5 (B)
• Author: Ann-Kathleen Kraetzig (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 21
• Catalog Number: V22473
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638257879
• Language: English
• Tags: Zealand, Accent