Scouse: the urban dialect of Liverpool

Abstract

A brief consideration of field-work is followed by a general discussion of Scouse, and the main problem for description is found to be the phonology rather than the grammar or the vocabulary. In particular, the question is raised of the relation between Anglo-Irish and North~Western English in the formation of Scouse. Before the phonology proper, attention is paid to articulatory setting and voice quality. In the phonology, rhythm and the rhythmic framework are taken as basic, and essential for the identification of the peculiarities of Scouse. Intonation is closely related to rhythm, and vowels and consonants are described in the context of rhythmically defined syllables. Finally, a number of phonological variables are discussed, and the nature of the variation is identified by reference to the Scouse sound-patterns described in earlier chapters.