US Language Attitudes

Summary

In this insightful discussion, linguist Dennis Preston explores the strong opinions Americans have about language and regional accents. He highlights the lingering linguistic insecurity many feel, especially when comparing American English to its British roots. The conversation delves into how different American regions, like the South and New York City, are perceived for their 'incorrect' or 'charming' dialects. Despite these regional differences, there is a general consensus on the 'standard' American English spoken in the Midwest, which is often seen as the norm, especially in broadcasting and education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Linguist Dennis Preston studies American linguistic insecurity and the strong opinions people have about what is 'correct' or 'incorrect' speech.
• 😀 There is an ongoing American linguistic insecurity because English was not originally developed in the U.S., creating lingering doubts about American English compared to British English.
• 😀 American populism plays a role in rejecting linguistic 'correctness' and avoiding overly formal speech.
• 😀 People tend to identify regions where they believe 'incorrect' or 'bad' English is spoken, with the U.S. South and New York City being common targets.
• 😀 Despite negative perceptions, many Americans find accents from New York or the South charming, indicating a complex relationship with regional speech.
• 😀 The conversation explores how race intersects with perceptions of southern accents, particularly in how comfortable or unwelcome people might feel based on cultural or racial context.
• 😀 There is a significant linguistic agreement on what is considered 'standard' American English, particularly in the Midland region of the U.S., which includes parts of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
• 😀 Many Americans, including Southerners, recognize the Midland region as home to the 'most correct' or neutral American English dialect.
• 😀 The Midland dialect is often considered the ideal model for 'proper' speech, especially for those studying broadcasting or public speaking.
• 😀 The Midland dialect is widespread in much of the Midwest and is considered by many to be the standard American English variety without a strong regional accent.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the transcript?

The transcript focuses on linguistic perceptions in America, particularly how different American dialects are viewed in terms of correctness, with discussions about regional accents like the Southern and New York City accents, and the concept of a 'normal' American English dialect.

What is the concept of linguistic insecurity as described in the transcript?

Linguistic insecurity refers to the feeling many Americans have that their English may not be as correct as British English, due to the historical influence of England on the language, leading to doubts about the quality of American English.

How do Americans generally view accents from the South and New York City?

Many Americans tend to view Southern and New York City accents as 'incorrect' or 'bad' English, often associating them with negative perceptions of language use, despite the charm or appeal some people find in these accents.

Why do Southerners and New Yorkers sometimes perceive their accents as 'bad' English?

This perception stems from a broader cultural bias where non-standard dialects, like those from the South or New York, are judged against the so-called 'standard' American English, which is often associated with the Midwest or Northern states.

What is the 'normal' or 'correct' American English dialect according to the transcript?

The 'normal' or 'correct' American English dialect is often associated with the Midland region of the United States, which includes parts of Ohio, Michigan, Northern Indiana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. This dialect is perceived as having the least noticeable accent.

What region is specifically identified as the target for 'standard' American English?

The region identified as the target for 'standard' American English is the Midland area, which includes parts of Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

What is Midland English, and why is it considered the 'most normal' dialect?

Midland English is the dialect spoken in much of the Midwest, and it is considered the 'most normal' or 'neutral' dialect because it lacks the distinct regional accents that characterize other parts of the country. It is often perceived as standard or correct.

How do people from different regions view the 'correctness' of various American dialects?

People tend to view dialects from the Midwest, specifically the Midland region, as the 'correct' form of American English, often marking Southern and New York City accents as less correct, despite also appreciating their distinctiveness and charm.

What role does American populism play in the perception of dialects?

American populism plays a role in the desire to reject overly formal or 'correct' language rules, encouraging a more relaxed and less stuffy approach to language, which contrasts with the traditional emphasis on standardized, 'proper' English.

Why is the Midland dialect particularly favored by professional announcers?

The Midland dialect is favored by professional announcers because it is perceived as neutral and without any strong regional accents, making it easier for a broad audience to understand and relate to, and thus is often seen as the ideal for public speaking.