Dialect contact in adults - real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Motivation
The goal is to investigate two dialect groups that differ in the extent of anticipatory vowel nasalization. The assumption is that the dialect with less nasalization will shit towards the more nasalized vowels of the second dialect when the two interact. This is because an existing coarticulatory tendency is further exaggerated.

Target group
British (less nasalization) and American (more nasalization) speakers

Procedure

• Real-time MRI of the movement of the soft palate will be obtained of British and American speakers at the MPI Göttingen
• Computer simulations will be used to predict the outcome of nasalization when these groups talk to each ogher
• Longitudinal studies of American English speakers recently emigrated to England and British English speakers recently emigrated to America

Language
English (BE und AE)