Exploring the Similarities Between Different Accents in the English Speaking World

Summary

In this article, we dive into the similarities between different accents in the English speaking world. The article starts by discussing vowel sounds, how they are defined and pinpointed in the mouth using a vowel space. We explore the feature of goose fronting and how it is found in different accents. The article also delves into something called mouth raising and how it is present in accents from London, New York, Southern USA, and Australian. We explore the feature of kit centering in New Zealand, South Africa, and its weird similarity to Australian English. Lastly, we discuss start vowels such as in the Boston accent and Irish accent, and similarities between the two.

Table of Contents

• What are vowel sounds and how are they pinpointed using a vowel space?
• What is goose fronting and in which accents is it present?
• What is mouth raising and how is it present in different accents?
• What is kit centering and how is it present in New Zealand and South African accents?
• What are start vowels and how are they similar in Boston and Irish accents?

Introduction

As an English speaker, you’ve probably encountered many different accents from around the world. Accents are influenced by various factors such as geography, culture, history, and societal values. Despite the differences, some accents share similarities that we’ll explore in this article. We’ll delve into and discuss the common features of these accents and their impact on pronunciation.

What are vowel sounds and how are they pinpointed using a vowel space?

Vowel sounds are defined according to two basic things – what the lips are doing and where the tongue is in the mouth. To pinpoint the position of the tongue, linguists use a vowel space that looks like a rectangle, representing a cross-section of the mouth. The front of the mouth is on the left of the rectangle, and the back is on the right.

What is goose fronting and in which accents is it present?

Goose fronting is a feature prevalent in accents such as Australian, London, Irish, Southern US, and Californian. It involves the pronunciation of the “ooh” sound further forward in the mouth. Goose fronting happens when the arch of the tongue moves forward, thus pronouncing “ooh” closer to the front of the mouth. To witness goose fronting in action, watch the goose-fronting medley in the video.

What is mouth raising and how is it present in different accents?

Mouth raising is a feature common in accents from London, New York, Southern USA, and Australia. It involves raising the starting point of the mouth vowel, sometime from a to o. In the Southern American accent, the sound is pronounced as ah followed by o, while in the Australian accent, it’s pronounced as owa. Mouth raising is so distinct and identifiable that it helps distinguish accents.

What is kit centering and how is it present in New Zealand and South African accents?

In New Zealand and South Africa, some English speakers have similar pronunciations of certain words like chip, fish, and miss. The word “chip,” for example, is pronounced as “chup” or “chep” instead of “chit.” This phenomenon is called kit centering, where the vowel sound moves towards the center, closer to the “uh” sound. However, in Southern African accents, this phenomenon only affects certain words, those that don’t have a hard “g” or “k” sound following the vowel.

What are start vowels and how are they similar in Boston and Irish accents?

In the Boston accent and some Irish accents, there’s a distinctive feature of the “a” sound, which starts back in the mouth, farther from the lips. This feature is called start fronting. In some Irish accents, the start fronting is quite pronounced, sounding similar to a Boston accent even with the addition of the “r” sound.

Conclusion

In conclusion, accents are unique and influenced by diverse factors, yet similarities exist in different accent features. We’ve explored goose fronting, mouth raising, kit centering, and start fronting. Understanding these features may improve your pronunciation while appreciating the diversity of English accents worldwide.