ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to identify the characteristic features of the accent of the city of Edinburgh and its surrounding areas. The speakers were from a range of localities within the Edinburgh area, including the centre of Edinburgh and also Leith, Corstorphine and Currie. Based on factors such as education and employment, the speakers were judged as being lower- to upper-middle class. The phenomenon of breaking is very common among Edinburgh speakers. This typically involves the vowel in a syllable being followed by a brief transitional vowel glide of an [] quality. A recent structural change in Edinburgh is the occurrence of R in sites which are labelled intrusive in non-rhotic varieties. The accent of Edinburgh is characterised by an overwhelming tendency to favour intonation patterns which terminate with a mid- to low fall, even with questions. The use of a high rising tone with statements is not noticeable in Edinburgh English (EdinE) at the present time.
