Jonathan Morris

Disentangling the effects of long-term language contact and individual bilingualism: the case of monophthongs in Welsh and English

Aims and objectives: This study investigates the effects of individual bilingualism and long-term language contact on monophthongal vowel productions in English and Welsh. Design: To this end, we recorded the Welsh and English vowel productions of two sets of Welsh-English bilinguals differing in home language use, as well as the English vowel productions of English monolinguals. Data and analysis: The data were analysed acoustically, with a focus on spectral and temporal properties. Comparisons were then made within each language and cross-linguistically. Findings: The results of a cross-linguistic acoustic comparison revealed a high degree of convergence in the monophthong systems of Welsh and English, but also some language-specific categories. Interestingly, at the individual level we found no effect of linguistic experience on vowel production: the two sets of bilinguals and the English monolinguals did not differ in their realisation of English vowels, and the two sets of bilinguals did not differ in their realisation of Welsh vowels. Originality: This is one of few studies to examine the effect of linguistic background on variation in Welsh and English bilingual speech, and the first to compare the speech of Welsh-English bilinguals and English monolinguals. More specifically, it investigates the extent to which a speaker’s home language can affect phonetic variation in a close-knit community of speakers and in a situation characterised by long-term language contact. Implications: The findings demonstrate pervasive phonetic convergence in a language contact situation with a historical substrate. They also indicate that a homogeneous peer group with shared values can override the effects of individual linguistic experience.

Explaining the human resource management preferences of employees: a study of Chinese workers

This study explores the human resource management (HRM) preferences of Chinese employees, based on a sample of 2852 questionnaires from organizations in China. The research findings show a strong ‘group orientation’ and a great emphasis on ‘soft factors’ such as seniority, loyalty and connections in many HRM areas. It is argued that certain areas of Chinese HRM are converging to the Western model, but the influence of traditional Chinese personnel practices remains strong. A ‘group orientation’, a major emphasis on ‘soft factors’ and a trade union presence will remain as the three main features of Chinese HRM in the long term.

Sociolinguistics in Wales

This volume showcases recent sociolinguistic research about Wales and offers contributions from scholars working on Welsh, English and other languages spoken in the country. The chapters present a range of frameworks and methodologies used in sociolinguistics and apply them to the Welsh linguistic context. This context is very distinctive compared to the rest of the UK and represents a prime ground to observe different aspects of the interplay between language and society. The structure of the volume reflects the linguistic diversity of the country and is divided into three sections. The first section examines recent research on Welsh, the second section focuses on English, and the third section deals with research on Welsh and English together, as well as research on other languages spoken in Wales. The book will be useful to those wanting to discover more about language and society in Wales, as well as to those already working in the field as it offers new perspectives and insights.

The role of linguistic background on sound variation in Welsh and Welsh English

Yn y bennod hon, rydym yn ymchwilio i amrywio seinegol a ffonolegol yn lleferydd siaradwyr dwyieithog Cymraeg-Saesneg rhwng 16 a 18 mlwydd oed. Rydym yn gofyn a yw cefndir ieithyddol yn dylanwadu ar amrywio yn y ddwy iaith ac i ba raddau y mae’r nodweddion dan sylw yn debyg yn y ddwy iaith. Yn gyntaf, cyflwynir astudiaeth o lafariaid a gynhyrchwyd gan siaradwyr o Rydaman (Sir Gaerfyrddin) er mwyn canfod a oes amrywio seinegol o fewn yr ieithoedd a rhyngddynt. Yn ail, rydym yn dadansoddi /r/ yn lleferydd pobl ifainc o’r Wyddgrug (Sir y Fflint) er mwyn ymchwilio i drosglwyddo ffonolegol. Yn drydydd, rydym yn ystyried i ba raddau y gall ffactorau megis defnydd o’r Gymraeg yn y gymuned a chyffyrddiad iaith hirdymor esbonio’r patrymau a gafwyd.

An Overview of Sociolinguistics in Wales

The aim of the first chapter is to give an overview of sociolinguistics in Wales and introduce the research which appears in the volume. First, we consider the current linguistic situation in Wales and summarise the history of contact between Welsh and English. Second, we present a review of previous sociolinguistic research in Wales. Third, the chapters in the volume are discussed and, to close, we highlight directions for future research.