Sound and grammar features in three communities in Auckland, NZ.

What is it about?

Auckland Voices explored three demographically distinct communities in Auckland (New Zealand) with several goals in mind. 1. Provide the first comprehensive description of the English used by a third of New Zealanders. 2. Consider whether communities where there is more immigration are developing different linguistic norms from communities where there is less immigration. 3. See whether there is evidence of change over time. The chapter here is a good overview of the goals, methods and results of a study of the pronunciation of the definite article "THE" before vowels ("thee" or "thuh"). "Thuh" pronunciations are used most in South Auckland and seem to be spreading among younger speakers elsewhere.

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