Topic-based style shifts of North Korean refugees in sociolinguistic interview
This study focuses on topic-based style shifts of North Korean refugee (NK) speakers’ vowel production. The merger between [ʌ] and [o] as well as [ɯ] and [u] can indicate North Korean-like production (Kang & Yun, 2018; So, 2010; Kang, 1996, 1997, 1999a, 1999b; Lee, 1990, -1991). Meanwhile, [e]-[æ] merger and [o]-[u] merger indicate South Korean-like production (Han & Kang, 2013; Shin et al., 2012; Kim et al., 2006; Moon; 2006; Seong, 2004). Sociolinguistic interviews, including reading wordlists, were conducted with six NK speakers in South Korea. 4384 vowels were analyzed in total. Results show that NK speakers tend to produce more NK-like vowels talking NK topics and SK-like vowels in SK career related topics. More interestingly, they produced more NK-like vowels in the isolation condition in general. This study sheds light on research regarding topic-based style shifts by providing vowel production patterns of NK speakers.
