Vowels MOUTH

The BCDP data suggest that as in South-East England, MOUTH is typically  >  , approaching  in more formal styles. Wells (1982: 359) notes that MOUTH is generally of the -type in the Midlands, although there is quite a lot of phonetic variation. Bm typically has  , although realizations like  are not as common as in the South.

Mathisen (1999: 109–110) notes that Sandwell speakers usually have [æu ~ εu] , with an occasional [eu] among working-class males. She adds that MOUTH-GOOSE merger may be possible. Painter (1963: 30) has BC , realized as , with sporadic .

There is written evidence for:

(1) monophthongal realizations in Bm/BC <dahn>/<darn> down; Bm <rahnd> round, <abaht/abart> about, <tha> thou; BC <ar> our;

(2) Raised onsets (of  -type) in Bm <deawn> down, <geawnd> gown; BC <aer> our;

(3) reduction to schwa when unstressed, in BC <broo’us> brew-house, <glass’us> glass-house.

Heath (1980: 87) has  for Cannock.