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Almost 50 years have passed since the compilation of the first spoken language corpus, the London-Lund Corpus of spoken British English, material for which was gathered right here at University College London, and a lot has changed in spoken English since then.

Recording conversations

Nele's goal is to study these changes and to record speakers of British English in various everyday speech situations, both academic and non-academic. She is looking for students and staff who are willing to be recorded in the following situations:

• Meetings with Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ lecturers/professors (e.g. tutorials, office hours, supervision)
• Meetings with Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ administration (e.g. advisory sessions)
• Conversations in student common rooms around Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
• Discussions in study rooms or group work areas around Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾
• Conversations outside of Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ (lunchtime and dinner table conversations, casual meetings with friends/family/acquaintances)
• Other interactive speech situations (your suggestions are welcome)

All participants in the speech scenario need to be native speakers of British English and above the age of 18.Ìý

Apart from the presence of a small and unobtrusive recording device, meetings or conversations will not be affected in any way. Participants will, however, be asked to sign a consent form and fill in a short questionnaire.

If you are a native speaker of British English and you are not camera shy, or you just wish to know more about the project, please contact Nele Põldvere.

Nele said: "Even though the only thing I can give you in return is a warm smile and a big thank you, I hope that you will consider contributing to the successful compilation of the corpus and to facilitating research in the field of language variation and change in English, the language of the world."

Nele Põldvere, Visiting PhD student, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Survey of English Usage and Lund University