145
1.8yr
11

Isolated for six months, scientists in Antarctica began to develop their own accent

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240223-scientists-in-antarctica-developed-their-own-accent-after-six-months-of-isolation

they were taking part in an unusual experiment, which involved tracking their own voices over time. This was done by making 10-minute recordings every few weeks. They would sit in front of a microphone and repeat the same 29 words as they appeared on a computer screen. Food. Coffee. Hid. Airflow.

One of those changes was the "ou" sound in words such as "flow" and "sew" that shifted towards the front of the vocal tract.

I'm not actually sure what sound change they're describing there. Can anyone explain with examples or IPA?

edit: Cheers for the answers (turns out I misunderstood which part is the vocal tract)

Diplomjodler @feddit.de - 1.8yr

So how long until they've developed their own language?

18
spirinolas - 1.8yr

The answer is 42

2
Swedneck @discuss.tchncs.de - 1.8yr

a language is a dialect with an army, when do you think antarctic researchers will start claiming independence?

2
spacecowboy @sh.itjust.works - 1.8yr

I believe it would sound like an eastern Canadian would say it. Like how house becomes hoouse?

13
i_love_FFT @lemmy.ml - 1.8yr

Spend time in the cold and start developing the Canadian accent?

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spacecowboy @sh.itjust.works - 1.8yr

It does isolate people!

9
trashcan - 1.8yr

Trying desperately to figure out how I say "house".

2
baldingpudenda @lemmy.world - 1.8yr

If it shifted forward, would that make words like know (/nō/) closer to knew (/noo͞, nyoo͞/)?

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owen @lemmy.ca - 1.8yr

Yeah. Front is lips, back is bottom of throat

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kemsat @lemmy.world - 1.8yr

Flow becomes more like flew

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CaptObvious @literature.cafe - 1.8yr

Basically central schwa replaces /a/ in words like “house” and “about.”

(Sorry I don’t have an IPA keyboard on my phone.)

4