Development of Broadcast Standard US English

Summary

This transcript delves into the evolution of American English and the influence of British English, particularly before and after America’s independence. Linguist Bill Leof discusses how broadcast-standard pronunciation emerged, initially shaped by British Received Pronunciation, and how it was influenced by cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The role of Philadelphia in shaping American speech is emphasized, with a focus on how pronunciation patterns shifted post-World War II. The impact of historical events, especially World War II, led to a divergence in American and British pronunciation, particularly in how the 'R' sound is pronounced, with FDR’s speech serving as a key example.

Takeaways

• 😀 The development of American English began even before America's independence from Britain, with Philadelphia being a crucial city in shaping its evolution.
• 😀 The two versions of English—British and American—started diverging long before the United States became independent, with distinct regional dialects developing.
• 😀 George Bernard Shaw humorously remarked that the two nations (Britain and the U.S.) were separated by the same language, highlighting early differences.
• 😀 Bill Leof, director of the Atlas of North American English, discusses how the broadcast standard pronunciation in America is a dynamic pattern, constantly evolving over time.
• 😀 The initial model for American English was heavily influenced by British Received Pronunciation (RP), which was prevalent in London in the early 19th century.
• 😀 Major American cities like Boston, New York, Savannah, Charleston, and Richmond adopted British pronunciation patterns such as non-rhotic speech (e.g., saying 'car' without the 'r').
• 😀 The standard American English pronunciation model, especially in terms of the 'r' sound, was exemplified by figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), a New Yorker with a prestigious upper-class accent.
• 😀 FDR's accent was characterized by a non-rhotic pronunciation, where the 'r' in words like 'storm' was dropped, and certain consonants like 't' were pronounced crisply (e.g., 'shattering').
• 😀 Before World War II, Americans aspired to sound more British, with an emphasis on adopting the British-style pronunciation, but this trend reversed after the war.
• 😀 After World War II, Americans, especially in New York City, started pronouncing 'r's more prominently and shifting away from British-style pronunciation in casual speech.
• 😀 Philadelphia's role in shaping American English is significant, as it was the only major East Coast city that played a central role in the development of American speech patterns.

Q & A

What does George Bernard Shaw's quote about American and British English imply?

George Bernard Shaw's quote, 'The two nations are separated by the same language,' highlights the significant differences in English usage between Britain and America, despite both countries sharing the same language.

How did American English pronunciation originate?

American English pronunciation originated from British English, particularly influenced by Received Pronunciation (RP), which was modeled on British speech patterns, especially in major cities like Boston, New York, and Charleston.

What is meant by 'International English' in the context of the transcript?

'International English' refers to a standardized form of British English that was widely used as a model for pronunciation, especially during the early 19th century, drawing heavily from British RP.

Which cities were most influenced by Received Pronunciation in America?

Cities like Boston, New York, Savannah, Charleston, and Richmond were most influenced by Received Pronunciation, with accents that included features like dropping the 'R' sound in certain words.

How did the pronunciation of 'R' shift in American English over time?

The pronunciation of 'R' shifted after World War II. Before the war, many Americans, especially in major cities, emulated British RP by dropping the 'R' sound (e.g., 'car' pronounced 'cah'). After WWII, Americans began pronouncing 'R' more consistently, even in casual speech.

Why is Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) used as a model for American English pronunciation?

FDR is considered a model for American English pronunciation because his speech exhibited the upper-class New York accent, which followed the RP influence by dropping 'R' unless a vowel followed (e.g., 'storm' pronounced 'stawm').

What role did Philadelphia play in the development of American English?

Philadelphia played a key role in shaping American speech, especially in comparison to other East Coast cities, due to its unique linguistic patterns that contributed to the broader evolution of American English.

What is the significance of the shift in American English pronunciation after World War II?

After World War II, Americans began moving away from British-influenced pronunciation patterns, embracing a more casual and distinctly American style of speech that was less concerned with mimicking British RP.

How did American English pronunciation differ between formal and casual speech post-WWII?

Post-WWII, in formal speech, Americans tended to pronounce 'R' sounds and other consonants more carefully, while in casual speech, they often reverted to a more relaxed, local dialect without strict adherence to the 'standard' pronunciation.

What does the transcript reveal about regional variations in American English?

The transcript shows that American English has regional variations, with cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia shaping distinct dialects. These regional accents evolved from British RP but diverged over time, especially influenced by social changes like World War II.