Vowel Dynamics of the Low Vowels in Cowlitz County, Washington

Authors

Joseph A. Stanley, Brigham Young University - ProvoFollow

Keywords

BOT–BOUGHT near-merger, longitudinal /æ/ lowering, vowel trajectory analysis, Elsewhere Shift participation

Abstract

Q1: Does Cowlitz County participate in the Elsewhere Shift?

BOT/BOUGHT:

• Not 100% merged.
• Have been in a stable near-merger since the 1930s.
• Hypothesis: Started when area was being settled (1850s–1920s) because of the demographic shift.

/æ/ BAT:

• Slowly lowering over 4 generations (since at least the 1930s)
• Women consistently ahead of the men - change in progress for over 60 years.
• Hypothesis: Began in earnest when Longview was founded (mid 1920s), in addition to language-internal pressure.

Original Publication Citation

Joseph A. Stanley. “Vowel Dynamics of the Low Vowels in Cowlitz County, Washington”. University of Georgia Linguistics Colloquium. Athens, GA. January 10, 2020.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Stanley, Joseph A., "Vowel Dynamics of the Low Vowels in Cowlitz County, Washington" (2020). Faculty Publications. 8007.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/8007

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

2020

Publisher

University of Georgia Linguistics Colloquium

Language

English

College

Humanities

Department

Linguistics

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

Copyright Use Information

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