Hi guys! I’m doing research in sociolinguistics on a London-based accent which is called “Estuary English”. For example, people speaking with this accent would drop ‘t’ at the end of words like in /righ’/. This is typical of British people, especially Londoners, but it is spreading to other parts of the UK and I would like to understand why this accent is so fashionable. So I’m asking for your help, please. What you have to do is just honestly answer to a maximum of the few following questions. Here we go:
1. Have you ever heard someone dropping ‘t’ at the end of words like in /righ’/ instead of /right/?
2. Are you dropping ‘t’ sometimes, like in /no/ instead of /not/ or /wha’ever/, /I’ve go’/…? And if yes:
a. Are you doing it on purpose? Is it natural to you?
b. In what context are you doing it?
c. Do you think that it gives a cool image of you speaking like that?
d. Would you use this accent with your parents?
e. Are you aware that it has become fashionable in the UK?
f. Did you know it comes from London? If yes, is it a sufficient reason for you to make use of this accent? Why?
3. If you are not using this accent (not dropping ‘t’, not pronuncing /miwk/ instead of /milk/), what are the reasons?
Thanks in advance for your participation. You can either reply here or email me at
[email protected]
Think to mention your age, gender and city (+ country) at the end of your message please.
Yoann P.