Ascending tones as signifiers of cultural identity in northern England

This study investigates prosodic patterns in dialects of Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds that distinguish northern English pronunciation from other regional types. The authors argue melodic cues can act as signifiers cultural identity. empirical research included auditory acoustic analyses authentic speech recordings four female male speakers the listed above urban centres England. primarily concerned intonational means parameters fundamental frequency (F0) pitch range. findings revealed both individual characteristics each dialect distinctive features common for general with a special regard to intergender variation. results showed distribution is different standard British mainly characterized by frequent use rising contours affirmative utterances. detailed analysis configuration range such ascending tunes allowed describe main variants intonation final sense-groups declaratives. These specific oral make it possible identify northerner take into account this sociocultural context, well conventional implicatures process cross-cultural verbal interaction.