Project description
Social and structural factors in English dialect vowel patterns
Language variation is an essential component of human communication, but little is known about how individual speakers vary their language. Studies have been conducted mostly on isolated linguistic variables or patterns within limited number of dialects. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PATTERNS project will examine how linguistic variables interact across 30 English dialects, focusing on vowel changes and gender patterns. Using advanced statistical methods with the speech across dialects of English meta-corpus, it will analyse vowel covariation and explore various social and phonological factors. This open science initiative will improve replicability and comparability in the field, while supporting the development of independent research skills.
Objective
Language variation is a fundamental feature of human speech, yet the intricate ways in which individual speakers use multiple linguistic features remain poorly understood. While research has documented variation in single features, most studies focus on isolated variables or aggregated group patterns within few dialects. The PATTERNS project addresses this gap by investigating how multiple linguistic variables covary within individual speakers across 30 English dialects from North America and the British Isles. This project aims to uncover whether individuals who lead change in one vowel also lead in others, and whether consistent gendered patterns appear across covarying vowels. Using the large-scale SPeech Across Dialects of English meta-corpus and advanced statistical methods, PATTERNS will systematically analyse vowel covariation on an unprecedented scale. This approach also allows testing of competing social, physiological, phonological, and structural explanations for covariation. Over three work packages, PATTERNS will (1) model social vowel variation by gender and age across dialects, (2) quantify vowel covariation within speakers to identify patterns of leadership in sound change, and (3) integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to explain drivers of covariation. By combining cutting-edge sociolinguistic theory with robust quantitative methods and a large, dialect-diverse corpus, PATTERNS will deepen understanding of how speech variables interact within individuals to express social meaning and drive language change. This open science project will enhance replicability and comparability across dialects and languages, addressing a major gap in the field. For me, this Fellowship is a vital step toward becoming an independent, innovative researcher with enhanced computational skills, broader cross-dialectal expertise, and stronger international networks. PATTERNS will not only advance theory but also equip me to lead future sociolinguistic research.
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Keywords
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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G12 8QQ Glasgow
United Kingdom
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