A reight / raat / right good sound: PRICE vowel variation across three West Yorkshire boroughs (HHS-2026-29)

About the project

About the Project This project explores the regional identity of West Yorkshire accents, specifically the distribution of the PRICE vowel sound (as produced in words like ‘price’, ‘fight’, ‘sky’). PRICE varies between long-established monophthongs and innovative, levelled diphthongs in East and South Yorkshire, but has not been analysed in West Yorkshire since 2000. This study explores whether the trend shown in the previous studies towards diphthongisation is present in three West Yorkshire boroughs - Bradford, Kirklees and Wakefield - and whether these realisations may be indicative of identity markers. Furthermore, 'Yorkshire' is often perceived as a friendly accent, but rarely rates highly for prestige or intelligence, resulting in stigma and potential accentism in day-to-day life. The findings could evaluate what the distribution of this feature says about accent and identity. Whether speakers’ pronunciation is monophthongal or diphthongal will be correlated against their perceptions of accent as recorded in qualitative interviews about accent and identity from the West Yorkshire Regional English Database (WYRED). The successful candidate will acoustically analyse vowel formant measurements to explain which factors influence the distribution shown, e.g. whether the trend in the literature towards diphthongs is continuing, and whether this is motivated by accentism, lack of prestige or another factor. The aims of the project are to: Analyse the distribution of the PRICE vowels in Bradford, Kirklees, and Wakefield from the WYRED database. Consider any regional variation that might exist between the three boroughs for this regionally-marked vowel, in comparison to previous literature from Yorkshire. Use the qualitative data from the WYRED interviews around perceptions of accent to understand how speakers' pronunciation of the PRICE vowel interacts with regional identity and the degree to which accentism may be affecting usage. For subject specific enquiries please contact: t.devlin@hud.ac.uk We encourage you to discuss your ideas with potential supervisors in advance of application. Type of Award: MSc by Research Eligibility: Applications are open to UK applicants only ; ideally with a First-Class Honours degree. Location: Huddersfield/Online Funding: Fee waiver Duration: 1 years full-time / 2 years part-time Application Details To apply please submit the documents listed below to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk in full by Friday 30 th October 2026 , including the following documents: A motivational email as to why you wish to apply for the scholarship, stating which project you are applying for. A 2,000-word research proposal outlining how you plan to undertake for the research topic you are applying for. For further guidance on writing a research proposal, please refer to the following webpage: https://www.hud.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/writing-a-research-proposal/ Full CV Provide copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications. Provide references from two individuals – (at least one to be an academic reference) please contact your referees and ask them to send your references directly to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk from their work email address. (references can be submitted late but must be received by Friday 6 th November 2026). Proof of eligibility – e.g. scan of passport photo page Please state the research topic number and title in the subject area of the email Please email pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk with queries regarding eligibility and submitting documents. Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the lead supervisor listed for each project.

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