Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English

This study explores rhythm metrics as a sociolinguistic marker in Philippine English (PhE), addressing gaps in understanding rhythmic variation in Southeast Asian Englishes. It aims to uncover how rhythmic patterns reflect sociolectal identities within a multilingual context. Using acoustic data fro...

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Main Author: Teri An Joy Magpale
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Languages
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/10/5/101
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author Teri An Joy Magpale
author_facet Teri An Joy Magpale
author_sort Teri An Joy Magpale
collection DOAJ
description This study explores rhythm metrics as a sociolinguistic marker in Philippine English (PhE), addressing gaps in understanding rhythmic variation in Southeast Asian Englishes. It aims to uncover how rhythmic patterns reflect sociolectal identities within a multilingual context. Using acoustic data from 30 participants in Manila, rhythm metrics (%V, ΔV, ΔC, nPVI, and rPVI) were analyzed to examine rhythmic tendencies. The findings reveal distinct patterns: PhE acrolect aligns with stress-timed rhythms of general American English, PhE basilect reflects syllable-timed features similar to Spanish, and PhE mesolect occupies a hybrid position blending elements of both. By emphasizing rhythm as a key identifier of sociolectal variation, this study advances the understanding of linguistic diversity in World Englishes and provides a novel framework for exploring identity in multilingual settings.
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spelling doaj-art-d2c271fb69744011a8bb8c97347d150c2025-08-20T02:33:54ZengMDPI AGLanguages2226-471X2025-05-0110510110.3390/languages10050101Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine EnglishTeri An Joy Magpale0Liberal Arts Center, Wonkwang University, Iksan City 54538, Republic of KoreaThis study explores rhythm metrics as a sociolinguistic marker in Philippine English (PhE), addressing gaps in understanding rhythmic variation in Southeast Asian Englishes. It aims to uncover how rhythmic patterns reflect sociolectal identities within a multilingual context. Using acoustic data from 30 participants in Manila, rhythm metrics (%V, ΔV, ΔC, nPVI, and rPVI) were analyzed to examine rhythmic tendencies. The findings reveal distinct patterns: PhE acrolect aligns with stress-timed rhythms of general American English, PhE basilect reflects syllable-timed features similar to Spanish, and PhE mesolect occupies a hybrid position blending elements of both. By emphasizing rhythm as a key identifier of sociolectal variation, this study advances the understanding of linguistic diversity in World Englishes and provides a novel framework for exploring identity in multilingual settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/10/5/101Philippine Englishsociolectsrhythm metricsstress-timedsyllable-timedacoustic analysis
spellingShingle Teri An Joy Magpale
Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English
Languages
Philippine English
sociolects
rhythm metrics
stress-timed
syllable-timed
acoustic analysis
title Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English
title_full Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English
title_fullStr Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English
title_short Exploring Sociolectal Identity Through Speech Rhythm in Philippine English
title_sort exploring sociolectal identity through speech rhythm in philippine english
topic Philippine English
sociolects
rhythm metrics
stress-timed
syllable-timed
acoustic analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/10/5/101
work_keys_str_mv AT terianjoymagpale exploringsociolectalidentitythroughspeechrhythminphilippineenglish