The Welsh English variety can be divided into two sub-varieties: Northern and Southern Welsh English. Northern Welsh English is probably the variety with shows the most Welsh influence as the North was the area where English spread last. Southern Welsh English again can be split up into two major dialects, an Eastern and a Western one. The latter one again is a more rural dialect. The Eastern dialect is a more urban one as it is spoken in and around the cities of Wales. So Eastern South Welsh English is the dialect closest to RP and Standard English. It is also the dialect of Welsh English which shows the less Welsh substratum.
Coming to speak about influences on Welsh English there are two main factors. First of all, the original mother tongue of the Welsh people, Welsh. One can make out Welsh influences on English in syntax, loanwords and pronunciation. The second main influence on Welsh English is the multitude of English English varieties spoken in the counties bordering Wales. These are mainly the varieties of South-West England.
In Wales itself Welsh English or a Welsh accent has a high covert prestige, especially in the South. This is for the accent is associated with national pride and “Welshness”. In the following, we will discuss features of pronunciation at first, then go on with the grammatical and lexical features and conclude with a short examination of the standardisation of Welsh English.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction – General influences on Welsh English
2 Particularities in pronunciation
2.1 Welsh English vowels
2.1.1 Vowels in Southern Welsh English
2.1.2 Vowels in Northern Welsh English
2.2 Welsh English consonants
2.2.1 Consonants in Southern Welsh English
2.2.2 Consonants in Northern Welsh English
2.3 Vowel stress and word intonation
2.3.1 Vowel quality and vowel stress
2.3.2 Intonation and word stress
3 Grammar, Lexis, Vernacular Features
3.1 Welsh English Grammar
3.2 Vernacular Features of Welsh English
3.3 Welsh English Lexis
4 Conclusion – The standardisation of Welsh English
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive linguistic analysis of the specific features that distinguish Welsh English from Standard English, focusing on pronunciation, grammatical structures, and vocabulary. The research explores how the original Welsh language and neighboring English dialects have influenced the development and characteristics of various Welsh English sub-varieties.
- Phonological distinctions, including vowel shifts and consonant patterns.
- Grammatical peculiarities such as fronting, the expletive "there", and universal question tags.
- The impact of "Welshness" and cultural identity on the prestige of the accent.
- Lexical items of Welsh origin and shifts in word meaning.
- The influence of standardization processes on current dialectal forms.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3.2 Intonation and word stress
A striking characteristic of Welsh English is its intonation which is often described as a ‘sing-song’ intonation. This can be explained by the usage of “a rise-fall tone where standard accents would have a simple fall” (Wells J. C., Accents of English, volume 2 The British Isles, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, London, New York, 1982: 392.). An example sentence: It’s ‘no ‘longer ‘valid in RP. The apostrophes in front of the words mark a falling intonation. It can be seen that there is only a falling intonation in RP. A Welsh English speaker would show this intonation: It’s ‘no longer ^valid. Here again the apostrophe show falling intonation the “^” show a rising intonation. By comparing the two sentence intonation it can be seen that in Welsh English both intonation occur in one sentence and gives the impression of ‘sing-song’-like intonation which is missing in RP because there are no rising intonations here.
Another feature that may sound strange is the avoidance of secondary stresses. In compound words one may find a second though weaker stress as in the RP word /’brid? ’end/ Bridgend. A speaker of Welsh English would avoid a second stress and so also differ in the stress left. So the Welsh English pronunciation of Bridgend is /bri’d?end/. (comp. Wells, 1982: 391-392)
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction – General influences on Welsh English: This chapter introduces the two main sub-varieties of Welsh English and explains the primary influences, specifically the Welsh language and neighboring English dialects.
2 Particularities in pronunciation: This chapter analyzes the phonological differences between Welsh English and Received Pronunciation, covering vowels, consonants, and specific patterns of word stress and intonation.
3 Grammar, Lexis, Vernacular Features: This chapter examines the syntactic and morphological peculiarities of Welsh English, common vernacular features, and unique lexical items influenced by the Welsh language.
4 Conclusion – The standardisation of Welsh English: This chapter discusses the ongoing process of standardization in Wales and the linguistic challenges, such as hypercorrection, that arise as regional dialects adapt.
Keywords
Welsh English, Phonology, Dialect, Syntax, Received Pronunciation, Vowel shifts, Consonants, Intonation, Grammar, Loanwords, Standardization, Hypercorrection, Vernacular, Welsh language, Linguistic variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this linguistic study?
The study focuses on the linguistic features that define Welsh English, exploring how it differs from Standard English in terms of phonology, grammar, and vocabulary.
Which specific areas of the Welsh English dialect are examined?
The research examines both Northern and Southern Welsh English, with a particular emphasis on the South as it is the most extensively researched area.
What is the core research objective of this paper?
The goal is to demonstrate the unique characteristics of Welsh English, specifically how it has been shaped by the Welsh substratum and regional English influences.
Which scientific methods are used to analyze the data?
The work utilizes descriptive linguistics and comparative analysis, contrasting Welsh English phonemic transcriptions with Received Pronunciation (RP) and analyzing grammatical constructions.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers pronunciation (vowels, consonants, stress, intonation), grammatical structures (such as fronting and expletives), and lexis, including loanwords.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Welsh English, Phonology, Syntax, Dialect, Loanwords, and Standardization.
What is the significance of the "sing-song" intonation in Welsh English?
It is a distinguishing feature created by the use of a rise-fall tone, whereas Standard English accents typically utilize a simple falling tone.
How does standardization impact the Northern Welsh English dialect?
Standardization pressures lead to issues like hypercorrection, where speakers attempt to differentiate sounds (like /s/ and /z/) and often apply them incorrectly due to the loss of traditional dialectal distinctions.
- Quote paper
- Christian Ritter (Author), Tamara Schorn (Author), 2004, Linguistic Features Of Welsh English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/52581
