Local Accrington Accent Research

Will_Barras · 14-04-2009, 14:03

Hi
I am working on a research project on variation in East Lancashire accents, and am looking for 4 people from Accrington or nearby (Oswaldtwistle etc) who would be willing to be interviewed for this research. I asked here a few months ago and had some excellent and really helpful interviews, so I'm really hoping to be able to find a few more volunteers to help me to finish my project!

The interview can be done individually, or even better with a pair of friends or relatives who can discuss their local town and what it's like to live there. There is also a list of words and sentences to read out, which allows me to compare how the same word is said in different places. Although I call it an "interview" it's more of an informal chat. This can take up to about an hour (with an extra 10-15 minutes for the individual reading list) although you're welcome to talk for longer if you want to!

For this part of the research, I need to find 2 female volunteers aged 60+ and 2 female volunteers aged about 18-30. I can arrange the interviews either during the day or in the evenings to suit, and I'd be incredibly grateful for any help you're able to give me.

You can read more information about my research on this page: Will Barras | Research | Lancashire Rhoticity Research Project. If you think you might be able to help then you can contact me by sending me a message on this forum; there are also contact details on the webpage linked to above.

Thanks in advance,
Will

MargaretR · 14-04-2009, 14:12

If any ladies living alone have doubts about inviting this young man into your home, I reassure you that he is a 'perfect young gentleman', just doing genuine research.
I was one of those who participated last time he asked.

jimmi5bellies · 14-04-2009, 15:03

I would love too but i dont fit in either age bracket.

Will_Barras · 14-04-2009, 15:37

Thanks for adding that Margaret! I suppose it's not every day that you get people asking to study your local accent, but Lancashire accents have actually not been researched much recently and that's why I'm doing this project. It's sponsored by the University of Edinburgh and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and although the participants are anonymous due to research ethics etc, it's still a good way of getting Accrington "on the map" in studies of accent and dialect!

The age groups are really just to allow me to compare different groups of people to see if pronunciation is changing - I'd be happy to interview anyone who's willing to have a chat even if they are in between the age ranges above.

jaysay · 14-04-2009, 16:16

I'll be a guinea pig Will, drop me a PM

shillelagh · 15-04-2009, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

I'll be a guinea pig Will, drop me a PM

Didnt know you had a sex change jaysay ..

For this part of the research, I need to find 2 female volunteers aged 60+ and 2 female volunteers aged about 18-30. I can arrange the interviews either during the day or in the evenings to suit, and I'd be incredibly grateful for any help you're able to give me.

and before you say anything im not 60+ no matter what mick thinks ... and im also not between 18-30 ... so cant do it.

jaysay · 15-04-2009, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

Didnt know you had a sex change jaysay ..

For this part of the research, I need to find 2 female volunteers aged 60+ and 2 female volunteers aged about 18-30. I can arrange the interviews either during the day or in the evenings to suit, and I'd be incredibly grateful for any help you're able to give me.

and before you say anything im not 60+ no matter what mick thinks ... and im also not between 18-30 ... so cant do it.

Don't tell you everything sweety

Have to say didn't read that bit, but Will must think its okays as he's coming round to see me shortly, if need be I'll use my high pitched voice Jen

katex · 15-04-2009, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Don't tell you everything sweety

Have to say didn't read that bit, but Will must think its okays as he's coming round to see me shortly, if need be I'll use my high pitched voice Jen

Can always switch yer bottle to one of those helium ones ....

Will_Barras · 16-04-2009, 13:44

There'll be no need for helium

Basically I'm looking for female volunteers to complete all the "boxes" so to speak in my survey, but the more the merrier and it's always useful to have male volunteers to compare. After all, people are always saying that men and women talk differently, but unless you have recordings of both you can't really compare them!

However, if there are any other people out there who would be interested in volunteering, please drop me a line!

jimmi5bellies · 17-04-2009, 05:09

pm me if you want me to do it. Thanks.

jaysay · 17-04-2009, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Can always switch yer bottle to one of those helium ones ....

Has nobody ever told you kate, its against the law to take the pee out of a cripple

jaysay · 17-04-2009, 16:15

Can confirm that Will doesn't bite, just spent around 2 hours helping him withs Phd and twas an enjoyable change