Wokingham Language Intuition Study

STUDY CLOSED

What makes something "English"?

This research, part of a PhD project funded by the University of Reading, seeks to study how English speakers determine whether a word is acceptable in English.

Wokingham Borough Study (c.75 mins)

2 types of participant surveyed

a) Permanent residents of Wokingham Borough (resident for at least 4 years)

b) Residents of Wokingham Borough also schooled in the area

All participants were offered a small payment as a thank you for their time and as a contribution towards travel expenses. If you are interested in finding out more about the study, please click here for more details about the Wokingham project.

Key Dates

• Monday March 17th, 2008

  Wokingham Study Began

   

• Wednesday September 10th, 2008

  Wokingham Study Finished

Project Abstract

Native English speakers often know more about the English language than they realise. Research has shown that we are sensitive to many aspects of the language we speak and read and can even make reliable judgements about the "Englishness" of foreign words and nonwords (i.e. unfamiliar sequences of familiar sounds).

Such judgements can tell us a lot about how the brain works and how language changes. The Wokingham Language Intuition Study (WoLIS) sought Wokingham Borough residents to take part in a study of their intuitions of English. Please visit the 'Wokingham Study' page for more details.

Matt Moreland, University of Reading

Further Information

This study is being conducted as part of doctoral research and funded by a University of Reading postgraduate studentship.