Full Description
This volume focuses on the closely allied yet differing linguistic varieties of Birmingham and its immediate neighbour to the west, the industrial heartland of the Black Country. Both of these areas rose to economic prominence and success during the Industrial Revolution, and both have suffered economically and socially as a result of post-war industrial decline. The industrial heritage of both areas has meant that tight knit and socially homogeneous individual areas in each region have demonstrated in many respects little linguistic change over time, and have continued to exhibit linguistic features, especially morphological constructions, peculiar to these areas or now restricted to these areas. At the same time, immigration from other areas of the British Isles over time, from Commonwealth countries and later from EU member states, together with increased social mobility, have meant that newly developing structures and more widespread UK linguistic phenomena have spread into these varieties. This volume provides a clear description of the structure of the linguistic varieties spoken in the two areas. Following the structure of the Dialects of English volumes, it provides:*A comprehensive overview of the phonological, grammatical and lexical structure of both varieties, as well as similarities between the two varieties and distinguishing features.*Thorough discussion of the historical and social factors behind the development of the varieties and the stigma attached to these varieties. *Discussion of the unusual situation of the Black Country as an area undefined in geographical and administrative terms, existing only in the imagination. *Examples of the variety from native speakers of differing ethnicities, ages and genders.*An annotated bibliography for further consultation.
Contents
Books in this series provide concise, up-to-date documentation for varieties of English from around the world. Written by experts who have conducted first-hand research, the volumes provide a starting point for anyone wishing to know more about a particular dialect. Each volume follows a common structure, covering the background, phonetics and phonology, morphosyntax, lexis and history of a variety of English, and concludes with an annotated bibliography and some sample texts.
We're not currently seeking proposals for this series, but please feel free to get in touch with Linguistics Commissioning Editor Laura Williamson to find out about other opportunities in your field.
