Vowels FLEECE

The BCDP data confirm that, as in South-East England, there is a definite tendency towards diphthongization, typically ; compare GOOSE. Hughes and Trudgill (1996: 55) have WM [зi], while Mathisen (1999: 109) maintains that in Sandwell, diphthongal variants often occur, especially with working-class and elderly speakers.

Painter (1963: 30) has BC , realized as , with sporadic unstressed .

Wells (1982: 357) notes that FLEECE merger has not fully carried through everywhere in the North, so that one can find the historical opposition preserved, especially in traditional dialect, but also in some less broad dialects. For example, a distinction is found in Staffordshire between MEET  and MEAT [i:]. Wells (1982: 363) notes, for Birmingham, . It is possible that some speakers (particularly in Black Country) may retain a distinction between MEET and MEAT.

Chinn and Thorne (2001: 21) maintain that Bm speakers’ realization of FLEECE is typically “closer to an ‘ay’ sound” (  ), e.g. need, these, disease, piece, receive, key, quay, people, machine. Indeed, there is considerable written evidence for Bm/BC diphthongization (to ), possibly representing (partial?) lack of operation of the FLEECE merger (or MEET-MEAT merger). Various spellings are employed, especially representing StE <ea> spellings (i.e. representing Middle English /ε:/):

Chinn and Thorne (2001: 138–139) note that many local Birmingham placenames with spellings in <ea> have a FACE-type pronunciation, e.g. (River) <Rea>, <Weaman> (Street). There appears to be a potential shortening (to [ε] ) before obstruent in BC <chep> cheap. Chinn and Thorne also note that short [I] is usual in week, seen, been, a claim supported for Black Country also by written, SED and audio evidence (apparently for shortening before an obstruent), but especially involving words with <ee> spellings (i.e. usually derived from ME /e:/).Examples include BC <bi> be; Bm/BC <bin> been; BC <(tha) bist> (thou) art; Bm/ BC <sin> seen; BC <sid> seed ‘seen’; BC <kippin’> keeping; Bm/ BC <wi(c)k> week (from OE wice); BC <wi(c)k> weak, <Haysich Brook> Hayseech Brook.

Heath (1980: 87) has  for Cannock.