Stressed vowels Pharyngalization

Just as, for example, [œ:] in NURSE is particularly associated with southern Welsh English in popular opinion, so too is a certain ‘throatiness’ associated with northern Welsh English. This ‘throatiness’ is actually pharyngalization, that is, contraction of the pharyngeal arches. Jones (1984: 57) has noted that pharyngalization affects the articulation of the two high central vowels of northern Welsh, but Penhallurick (1991) records it with many Welsh English vowels in the traditional Welsh-speaking areas of west and central north Wales (Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire). In Penhallurick (1991: 34–95), the only unaffected Welsh English vowels are the most open ones.  tends also to be pharyngalized in northern Welsh English.