Perception of border dialects

Lead Research Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Department Name: English Language

Abstract

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Description My research during the course of this grant permitted findings related to the perception of dialect variation along the Scottish-English border. I added to the body of scholarship in the field through my findings of a differential effect of the Scottish-English border. This meant that for English respondents the border acts as a barrier to information flows from Scotland. This is not the case for Scottish respondents, for whom the border is less important for their perception of the dialect landscape.

I was able to contribute to the development of the field of perceptual dialectology by producing two new data processing/gathering techniques. These techniques involved using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology used in geographical sciences to deal with data gathered during the course of my investigations into the perception of language variation. A further technique was developed using an online tool which can now be used to gather more information regarding the perception of language.

I was also able to contribute to my professional development by participating in cross-departmental collaboration. This collaboration was primarily with the School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh and resulted in the development (in partnership with an MSc student in the School of GeoSciences) of the tools mentioned above. Throughout the Fellowship I aimed to create strong links between the School of Linguistics and English Language and the School of GeoSciences, the culmination of which was a talk given to the Language in Context research group by Dr William Mackaness. My professional development was also continued by attending other professional development meetings relating to successful grant applications, developing partnerships with outside organisations, communicating with non-academic audiences as well as a workshop on using geographical census data.
Exploitation Route My findings relating to the methods in perceptual dialectology, and particularly the application of GIS technology, have been put to use by other scholars in the field.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice
 
Description My findings informed my contributions to various media appearances since the completion of the award. In September 2013, I was the lead academic consultant for an ITV 'Tonight' documentary about Language Attitudes ('Accents Speak Louder than Words'), and I featured extensively in the broadcast itself. The programme dealt with the findings of a piece of polling on attitudes to language performed by ComRes, which I was able to help interpret by drawing on my own research findings. The 'Tonight' programme is the most frequently watched documentary strand on ITV and usually broadcasts to around 2 million viewers. My research has also informed my contributions to radio broadcasts: Appearance on BBC Radio Sheffield in January 2013 discussing the results of a survey into language attitudes. Appearance on BBC Radio Sheffield in February 2013 discussing a news item on slang.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Education,Other
Impact Types Cultural
 
Description Academic consultant for ITV 'Tonight' documentary 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact In September 2013, I was the lead academic consultant for an ITV 'Tonight' documentary about Language Attitudes ('Accents Speak Louder than Words'), and I featured extensively in the broadcast itself. The programme dealt with the findings of a piece of polling on attitudes to language performed by ComRes, which I was able to help interpret by drawing on my own research findings.

The 'Tonight' programme is the most frequently watched documentary strand on ITV and usually broadcasts to around 2 million viewers. ITV Tonight has a twitter account with c2500 followers, many of whom participated in debates surrounding the programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/tonight/series-18/episode-7-accents-speak-louder-than-words-tonight
 
Description BBC Radio Sheffield appearance Jan 2013 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Discussing the results of a survey into language attitudes.

Discussion generated in radio phone-in.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013