Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Nicola Bessell, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, College Road, Cork City, Co. Cork, Ireland. E-mail: n.bessell@ucc.ie.
Abstract: Objective:To investigate the perceptions of Irish listeners concerning geographical origin, occupation and socio-economic class, based on speech samples from County Cork; to relate this information to phonetic features of each speaker’s accent and recent changes in Irish English. Methods:Recordings of speakers from three locations in County Cork were analyzed for features of supra-regional and advanced Irish English (Hickey, 1998, 2003, 2010). These recordings were played to young adult listeners from counties Cork and Kilkenny. Listeners completed a questionnaire assessing the location, occupation and socio-economic class of each speaker. The results of the questionnaire were compared with the phonetic features of the speakers. Main results:Diphthongization of FACE and GOAT vowels, [𝜃, ð] for TH, GOOSE-fronting and emerging velarised /l/ in syllable final position tilt listener judgements towards non-regional, professional and upper middle class. Cork City listeners are most accurate in terms of locating Cork city speakers. Kilkenny listeners are least accurate in identifying speaker location. Conclusions:Irish English speech varies depending on location and gender. Perceptions of class and occupation are closely tied to gender of speaker and type of phonetic features present. Supra-regional features are increasingly used by young adults in County Cork, and recognized by young adult listeners.
