Abstract:
New Zealand English is traditionally characterised by raised /e/ variation. In the following study we report findings from a study in Auckland that suggests otherwise. 32 young speakers (aged between 18-25yrs) from three suburbs in Auckland were recorded reading a passage. A further 6 older speakers (between 45-70yrs) were also recorded. Hand-corrected formants from the recorded vowels with sentence stress were analysed. The results showed there that sound change has occurred between the younger and older speakers, with the /e/ and /æ/ vowels lowering and backing, and lowering. This lowered /e/ and /æ/ is noticeable when compared with the results to other studies with Modern NZE speakers recorded outside Auckland. The implication of these results is discussed.
