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The labiodental /r/ in Singapore English
Abstract
The labiodental [U] has long been a topic of discussion in British English. It has been frequently looked at with a disdainful eye, being associated with defective speech, infantilism, effeminate speech and affectation. However, current research sees it slowly becoming 'established as an acceptable feature of mature speech in non-standard accents in the south-east of England' (Foulkes & Docherty, 2000: 30). Though much research has been done in British English, [U] has not been covered when it comes to describing the pronunciation in Singapore English.
This study shows that [U] is indeed present in Singapore English. It describes the acoustic features of [U] in Singapore English and also provides further descriptions of the use of this variant. In addition, it aims to investigate and evaluate Singaporeans' perceptions towards the use of [U] in Singapore English.
Through acoustic analyses, it was found that [U] is present in Singapore English but may not be the same as that in British English. However, acoustic analysis was also found not very reliable and has to be accompanied by auditory perceptions. Through auditory perceptions, descriptions of the use of [U] in Singapore English as we11 as Singaporeans' perceptions towards the use of [U] were obtained. Singapore English speakers were found to use [U] in three environments - word-nitial, after a consonant in the onset and intervocalic. However; they do not use this variant consistently and the use of [U] is perceived by Singaporeans as more childish and perhaps more non-standard.
This study shows that [U] is indeed present in Singapore English. It describes the acoustic features of [U] in Singapore English and also provides further descriptions of the use of this variant. In addition, it aims to investigate and evaluate Singaporeans' perceptions towards the use of [U] in Singapore English.
Through acoustic analyses, it was found that [U] is present in Singapore English but may not be the same as that in British English. However, acoustic analysis was also found not very reliable and has to be accompanied by auditory perceptions. Through auditory perceptions, descriptions of the use of [U] in Singapore English as we11 as Singaporeans' perceptions towards the use of [U] were obtained. Singapore English speakers were found to use [U] in three environments - word-nitial, after a consonant in the onset and intervocalic. However; they do not use this variant consistently and the use of [U] is perceived by Singaporeans as more childish and perhaps more non-standard.
Date Issued
2005
Call Number
PE3502.S55 Kwe
Date Submitted
2005