Investigating the Sound Change in the New Zealand English Nurse Vowel /ᴈ:/

Abstract

Although there have been many studies of New Zealand English (NZE) vowels, little has been written about the nurse vowel /ɜ:/. This study uses data from three groups of Māori speakers of NZE born between 1871 and 1992 to analyse changes to the nurse vowel over time. Although all these speakers are bilingual in English and Māori, we show that they are representative of NZE speakers generally. Analyses are carried out on formant frequency, vowel length, lip-rounding and vocal tract shape. The vowel space position measure (VSM) is used to analyse first and second formant movements together. The nurse vowel in NZE has risen so that it is now close and front in the vowel space, and apparently in danger of being confused with the goose vowel. We conclude by considering the factors that apparently keep the vowels apart and the potential effects of such a merger.