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An acoustic and auditory analysis of the labiodental /r/ in Singapore English
Abstract
The consonant /r/ in the English language possesses a variety of allophones, the most common being the post-alveolar approximant [R]. Amongst these allophones is a variant commonly described as a labiodental approximant and represented by the symbol, [√]. It has received much attention in the study of phonology in British English and is a feature whose existence is not only acknowledged by speakers of British English but has also, traditionally, been viewed with negative connotations of defective speech, infantilism, effeminate speech and affectation. However, the labiodental approximant [√] seems to be a feature common in the speech of young adults. In recent times, there also appears to be a dichotomy in attitudes towards this feature as it becomes ‘established as an acceptable feature of mature speech in non-standard accents in the south-east of England’ (Foulkes & Docherty, 2000: 30). This feature, however, has not received the same amount of attention in research done on pronunciation in Singapore English. Deterding (2007) and Kwek (2005) reported the existence of the labiodental approximant [√] in the speech of some young speakers of Singapore English, presenting preliminary findings of its existence and attitudes of Singaporeans towards the use of this variant of /r/.
This study aims to further substantiate previous claims by providing acoustic evidence that the labiodental approximant [√], a variant distinct from the more common post-alveolar approximant [R], is indeed present in Singapore English. It also provides further auditory analysis of the phonological environments and users of this variant. In addition, it suggests a detailed plan for further investigation of not only the labiodental approximant [√] but also other phenomena of /r/ in Singapore English. The acoustic analyses showed that the labiodental approximant [√] is present in Singapore English and how it can be differentiated by the comparisons of the nadir values of the third formants as well as the calculations of third formant rises at the onset of the following vowels. However, it should be noted that auditory analysis is an important consideration in order to provide a clearer picture of the labiodental approximant [√] in Singapore English. The auditory analysis showed that young speakers of Singapore English use both the labiodental approximant [√] as well as the post-alveolar approximant [R]. Findings suggest that the labiodental approximant [√] is used more by female speakers and it tends to appear more in informal speech. The labiodental approximant [√] was found to be used in three environments – word-/syllable-initially, intervocalically and most commonly in word-/syllable-initial consonant clusters. It also appears to be followed, most frequently, by back rounded vowels. By way of conclusion, suggestions for further research are then given.
This study aims to further substantiate previous claims by providing acoustic evidence that the labiodental approximant [√], a variant distinct from the more common post-alveolar approximant [R], is indeed present in Singapore English. It also provides further auditory analysis of the phonological environments and users of this variant. In addition, it suggests a detailed plan for further investigation of not only the labiodental approximant [√] but also other phenomena of /r/ in Singapore English. The acoustic analyses showed that the labiodental approximant [√] is present in Singapore English and how it can be differentiated by the comparisons of the nadir values of the third formants as well as the calculations of third formant rises at the onset of the following vowels. However, it should be noted that auditory analysis is an important consideration in order to provide a clearer picture of the labiodental approximant [√] in Singapore English. The auditory analysis showed that young speakers of Singapore English use both the labiodental approximant [√] as well as the post-alveolar approximant [R]. Findings suggest that the labiodental approximant [√] is used more by female speakers and it tends to appear more in informal speech. The labiodental approximant [√] was found to be used in three environments – word-/syllable-initially, intervocalically and most commonly in word-/syllable-initial consonant clusters. It also appears to be followed, most frequently, by back rounded vowels. By way of conclusion, suggestions for further research are then given.
Date Issued
2012
Call Number
PE3502.S55 Kwe
Date Submitted
2012