When Captain James Cook’s ship, the Endeavour, arrived in New Zealand in 1769, the sailors found nothing but dangerous wilderness and some Maori people living there - and they soon left again. It took another 71 years until New Zealand became a British colony. Only few Europeans settled there before then; mainly sailors, tradesmen and whaling station workers. Nonetheless, New Zealand developed into a nation with a distinct identity and language, a variety of English. The academic analysis of New Zealand English (henceforth NZE) is a rather new field of study but many non-academic attempts have been made to explain its origins:
„Much discussion has focused on the origins of [Australian English] and [NZE] pronunciation, and at times the speculations have been wild. Some have maintained that these accents are caused by climate, by a national nose inflammation as a result of pollen or hay, and even by fear of opening the mouth on account of dust and flies; other accounts look to carelessness, laziness, some kind of gross national inferiority complex, a free-wheeling and adventurous spirit, or on outlaw heritage. Even ill-fitting dentures have been suggested as a likely cause.”
This essay will investigate the origins of NZE and its development as a distinct variety of English. As an introduction there will be a short outline of recent research on NZE and the different theories concerning its sources. Afterwards the role of the early European settlement will be discussed because the “origins and development of New Zealand English are, quite obviously, intimately intertwined with the history of immigration to new Zealand.” 3 The influence of several varieties of English shall be described, starting with the European Englishes (English English, Scottish English, and Irish English 4 ) and their significance for phonetic and lexical characteristics of NZE. The role of New Zealand’s geographical neighbour, Australia, shall be part of the analysis as well. In addition to that the contributions of a non-English source, namely the indigenous Maori language, will be discussed. The analysis only looks at these main sources. The last part of this essay shall deal with significance of language for national identity and the recent development of NZE. Changes in the vowel pronunciation of NZE speakers will be examined. Finally, some non-New Zealand attitudes towards the NZE pronunciation shall be briefly considered.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Recent Research on New Zealand English
3. Sources of New Zealand English
3.1. European Sources of New Zealand English
3.1.1. English English
3.1.2. Scottish English and Irish English
3.2. Australian English
3.3. Maori
4. New Zealand English in Progress: Recent Development
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This academic essay examines the linguistic origins and historical development of New Zealand English (NZE) as a distinct variety, exploring how it evolved from diverse sources to become an integral element of national identity.
- Theoretical frameworks regarding the origins of New Zealand English, including the 'mixing bowl theory'.
- The impact of early European settlement and regional British dialects on the phonetic and lexical structure of NZE.
- The linguistic influence exerted by neighboring Australian English and the indigenous Maori language.
- The role of national identity in the ongoing standardization and sociolinguistic evolution of NZE.
Excerpt from the Publication
3.1.1. English English
In today’s notion NZE is somewhere in between British English and AusE; some people argue that NZE is “slightly closer to British English”. English in Britain was and is of course far from being uniform. At the end of the 18th century one third of the population of the British Isles spoke Celtic languages and no or only little English; two thirds spoke English as their native language but there were many regional dialects. The first English settlement was socially heterogeneous; there were people from both urban and rural areas with different stages of education and social classes. What they had in common was an Anglican or Presbyterian conservative background and the desire to ‘better’ one’s personal position.
The question is: Which part of the British Isles had the strongest influence on the development of NZE? For the more specific category English English (henceforth EngEng) the answer seemed to clear without a doubt for some time: Based on the single origin theory that NZE derived mainly from Cockney researchers claimed that most of the English immigrants came from around London, another significant group from the South-East of England. For instance, in both NZE and in the dialects of these regions the /r/ is generally not pronounced after vowels like in farm [fa:m]; both varieties use different vowels in dance ([da:ns] and [dæns] and diphthongs in words like gate [geıt]. Preserved statistics prove the predominance of immigrants with EngEng backgrounds, as the following example shows:
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the historical context of New Zealand's colonization and states the essay's goal to investigate the origins and development of NZE as an independent variety.
2. Recent Research on New Zealand English: This chapter reviews academic discourse on NZE, shifting from its historical treatment as a regional Australian dialect to its recognition as a distinct linguistic entity.
3. Sources of New Zealand English: This section details the primary influences on NZE, analyzing the contribution of European dialects, the intermediary role of Australian English, and the lexical impact of the Maori language.
3.1. European Sources of New Zealand English: This chapter analyzes the British and Irish migration patterns that provided the base for the linguistic features observed in early New Zealand.
3.1.1. English English: Focuses on how diverse regional English dialects from Britain, particularly from London and Northern England, influenced the emerging New Zealand lexicon and pronunciation.
3.1.2. Scottish English and Irish English: Highlights the specific contribution of Scottish and Irish settlers to the phonetic landscape of New Zealand, particularly in Southern regions.
3.2. Australian English: Examines the sociolinguistic ties between Australia and New Zealand, emphasizing shared history, 'step migration', and the impact of Australian English on the New Zealand lexicon.
3.3. Maori: Investigates the interaction between English and the indigenous Maori language, noting that the influence is primarily limited to the adoption of vocabulary for the local environment.
4. New Zealand English in Progress: Recent Development: Discusses the homogenization of NZE across the country and the ongoing evolution of the language due to social, political, and cultural factors.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings, reinforcing that NZE is a multi-sourced variety that serves as a vital component of New Zealand's unique national identity.
Keywords
New Zealand English, NZE, Australian English, Linguistic development, Mixing bowl theory, Maori, Phonetics, Lexicon, Sociolinguistics, Immigration, British English, Scottish English, Irish English, National Identity, Vowel shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This paper explores the origins and development of New Zealand English (NZE), tracing its evolution from its diverse British and Australian roots to its current status as a distinct national variety.
What are the central themes discussed in this document?
The core themes include the historical impact of immigration on language, the transition from multiple regional dialects to a uniform national language, and the influence of cultural identity on linguistic usage.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the sources of NZE and to analyze how internal and external factors contributed to its development as an independent variety of English.
Which academic methodology is employed?
The author employs a historical-linguistic approach, utilizing census data, historical immigration records, and existing academic literature to synthesize theories of dialectal formation.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical debates surrounding the origins of NZE, the impact of various European and Australian influences, the role of the Maori language, and recent phonetic changes such as vowel shifts.
How would you characterize the key terminology?
The key terminology centers on sociolinguistic concepts such as 'mixing bowl theory', 'semi-centre' varieties, 'step migration', and various dialectal classifications.
How did the Education Act of 1877 affect the language?
The Education Act of 1877 promoted a national system of free primary education, which acted as a catalyst for mixing regional dialects and fostering a more uniform New Zealand accent.
Does the paper consider the influence of the Maori language?
Yes, the paper acknowledges the Maori influence, noting that it is largely restricted to lexical borrowing for local flora, fauna, and cultural concepts, rather than broader structural changes.
What is the significance of the "vowel shift" mentioned?
The ongoing vowel shift is presented as a strong indicator of the autonomy of New Zealand English, showing how it continues to differentiate itself from other English varieties through its own unique evolution.
- Quote paper
- Jasmin Ostermeyer (Author), 2006, The Development of New Zealand English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54414
