Vowels NEAR

The BCDP data indicate typical . Wells (1982: 361) notes that the more conservative Northern accents have disyllabic (but recessive) [i:ə].

Mathisen (1999: 110) notes [iə] for all Sandwell speakers, also /i:/ with linking /r/, while Painter (1963: 30–31) has BC , realized as , evidencing a (potential) NEAR-SQUARE merger. There is written evidence for an /eə/-type realization in <nayer> near.

Heath (1980: 87) has  for Cannock.