Jane Setter: A Leader in Modern Phonetics
How we speak often says as much about us as the words we choose. This intersection of sound, identity, and science is the domain of phonetics—the scientific study of speech sounds. One of the most influential figures in this field is Professor Jane Setter, a British phonetician whose research spans the globe, from the nuances of British accents to the unique characteristics of English spoken in Hong Kong and Malaysia.
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Academic Foundation and Early Career
Jane Setter's journey into linguistics began at Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs, Kent. She pursued her initial studies in Language Studies and English at the College of Ripon and York St John, which was then part of the University of Leeds. Her academic progression continued at the University of Leeds, where she earned an MA in Linguistics and English Language Teaching in 1992.
Setter's career is marked by a strong international perspective. Between 1989 and 1991, she served as an English language tutor at the ACC English Language School in Japan. This global outlook continued as she balanced various part-time roles at the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University), and the University of Reading. While working in Hong Kong, she completed her PhD at the University of Reading, which was awarded in 2001.
Professional Progression at the University of Reading
After serving as a full-time Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University from 1995 to 2001, and holding several lecturing positions at University College London and City, University of London, Setter joined the University of Reading full-time in 2004.
Her ascent within the institution reflects her contributions to the field:
- 2004: Appointed Lecturer in Phonetics.
- 2009–2015: Served as Head of English Language and Applied Linguistics.
- 2013: Promoted to Professor of Phonetics.
In recognition of her contributions to education, she has been honored with a National Teaching Fellowship.
Key Research and Contributions
The Study of Global Englishes
Professor Setter is a prominent researcher of Global Englishes—the various varieties of English that have developed worldwide. She is the lead author of Hong Kong English, a work praised for providing a comprehensive overview of the variety as an emergent form of the language. Her research also extends to Malaysian English, specifically examining intonation patterns such as the "cooperative rise."
Speech Prosody and Atypical Populations
A significant portion of Setter's work focuses on speech prosody, which refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. In collaboration with Vesna Stojanovik, she co-edited Speech Prosody in Atypical Populations. This research is critical for understanding how prosody manifests in children with Down's syndrome and Williams syndrome, filling a vital gap in existing linguistic literature.
Defining Standard Pronunciation
Setter has played a pivotal role in documenting the English language as a co-editor of the Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary for the 16th (2003) through the 18th (2011) editions. She also served as the Pronunciation Associate for the 15th edition in 1997.
Public Engagement and Media
Beyond the classroom and laboratory, Jane Setter is a frequent commentator on British and overseas accents, accent prejudice, and the sociology of speech. Her expertise is often sought by national and international television, radio, and press outlets.
In 2017, she made history as the first phonetician to be a Plenary Speaker at the International Association of Teaching English Overseas (IATEFL) conference. She also authored the book Your Voice Speaks Volumes (Oxford University Press, 2019), which explores the impact of how things are said rather than just what is said.
Summary of Professor Jane Setter's Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 July 1966 (Eastbourne, England) |
| Primary Field | Phonetics |
| Current Position | Professor of Phonetics, University of Reading |
| Notable Publications | Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, Hong Kong English, Your Voice Speaks Volumes |
| Research Focus | Global Englishes, Speech Prosody, Atypical Populations |
| Major Award | National Teaching Fellowship |
Selected Bibliography
Books- The Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th Edition (2011)
- Hong Kong English (2010)
- Your Voice Speaks Volumes: it's not what you say but how you say it (2019/2021)
- Speech Prosody in Atypical Populations: Assessment and Remediation (2011)
- Speech Research in a Malaysian Context (2020)
- "Malay English intonation: the cooperative rise" (2016)
- "The Setswana speech rhythm of 6–7 years old Setswana-English bilingual children" (2020)
- "Speech rhythm in world Englishes: the case of Hong Kong" (2006)
- "Consonant clusters in Hong Kong English" (2008)
- "Affective prosody in children with Williams syndrome" (2007)