Southeastern phonology: vowels and diphthongs FLEECE, FACE, PRICE, CHOICE, GOOSE, GOAT, MOUTH

If described with reference to traditional RP, London and Southeastern long vowels and diphthongs are involved in a diphthong shift which Labov (1994: 170) describes as “the closest replication of the Great Vowel Shift that can take place under the present conditions”. In addition, there is social variation within the Southeastern system with working-class variants being even more advanced than their middle-class counterparts.

Note that Wells (1982: 302–303) defines Popular London (PL) as the accent of suburban working-class speakers and Cockney as the accent of the inner-London working class.