For instance, Lantolf points out, the regional dialect of New Orleans is largely attributable to the many different nationalities that developed the area. Lantolf points out that much of Pennsylvanian dialect "is a reflection of the influence of English and Irish settlers. Scranton has a particularly heavy Irish influence. The pioneer settlers in Pennsylvania's anthracite region which encompasses Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and surrounding towns were largely Irish and German Catholics who worked in the area's coal mines.
Many Europeans—particularly Slavic and Italian immigrants—followed and contributed to the distinctive Coal Region culture and dialect. The English spoken by their descendants is colored by their mother tongues: The word brogue itself to describe an Irish accent originally meant a "stout coarse shoe worn formerly in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands," and insultingly implied that the Irish spoke English so poorly, it sounded like they had a boot in their mouths.
The impact of Italian is heard in the regional tendency to elongate words—turning Acme supermarket into "Ack-a-me. Virtually every language in the world has dialects—varieties of the language that are particular to a group of speakers. Dialects vary by region and by social group. Dialect diversity, or language variation, reflects the fact that languages change over time and that people who live in the same area or maintain the same social identity share language norms; in other words, they speak the same dialect.
Although many people believe that the variety of language they and the people around them speak is not a dialect, in reality, everyone speaks a dialect, since dialects are simply varieties of the same language. Many people also believe that there is only one correct form of a language, but in truth, no dialect is superior to another on linguistic grounds.
All dialects are systematic language varieties that follow regular patterns of vocabulary choice, grammar, and pronunciation. However, misconceptions persist regarding the use of different language varieties in the United States, especially in schools.
When a human is part of a crowd, they identify membership by wearing certain styles of clothing or eating specific foods. That group of people also may speak a certain way — so distinctly so that an accent becomes part of the group's identity.
As for isolation, imagine a group of people that speaks the same language but becomes divided onto two islands. This geographical and social divide means that each group will evolve distinct dialects, or accents, over time. In fact, the language used by these groups may diverge so much to sound like completely different languages. But here's the thing: Humans are remarkably well-traveled, and don't often exist in isolation.
When we come across other distinct groups, it's possible to pick up another accent, either by choice or by long-term exposure. Ever meet a college student who returns from a semester in England, for instance, sounding subtly different? Whatever way a person picks up an accent, it tells a lot about the individual and the geography that person has inhabited, or the groups they've belonged to.
Even the regions believed to have people that speak "accent-less English," like the United States' Upper Midwest, still have accents. These accents are called reference varieties because English dictionaries and pronunciation guides are based on these accents.
These are the accents that are taught to foreign students learning English, but make no mistake — there is no such thing as accent-free speech. After all, take that supposedly accent-free Upper Midwest American and put her in the middle of Scotland, and see who's the one with the accent then.
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