Language and integration – a sociolinguistic analysis of selected Irish English pronunciation features used by Polish migrant community in Ireland

Abstract

This dissertation examines the pronunciation patterns of adult Polish migrants in Ireland, focusing on how acculturation strategies, social and national identity, and social networks influence their adoption of Irish English features. As the largest minority group in Ireland, the Polish community has expanded rapidly since Poland's EU accession in 2004. The study, drawing from second language acquisition theories (e.g., Schumann 1976, Waniek-Klimczak 2011), hypothesizes that integration and social interactions shape migrants’ pronunciation. Divided into two parts, the dissertation first reviews theoretical background, including migration, language in Ireland, and phonological features of Irish English (notably the slit-t). Acculturation and social network theories are also discussed. The second part presents two studies: Study One (2016) explores slit-t usage, showing higher adoption among those integrated into Irish society. Study Two (2019) extends this analysis, noting inconsistent adoption patterns, with some participants using affricated variants rather than slit-t, influenced by local community ties. The conclusion summarizes these findings, indicating that social integration correlates with adopting Irish English pronunciation features, while many prioritize intelligibility over accent accuracy. The study calls for further research to clarify /t/ variation patterns and understand the social factors impacting language adoption among Polish migrants.