American Dialects

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In this course, we will investigate regional, social, and ethnic language variation in the U.S. We will focus on varieties of English but will also discuss issues related to other languages in the U.S., including language contact; language maintenance, loss and change; and variation within some other major U.S. languages, most notably Spanish. We will examine current varieties and in addition will investigate the history of language and dialect differences in the U.S., as well as possible future changes in the American linguistic landscape. We will also consider the sources and general characteristics of language variation, attitudes toward varieties and variation, as well as issues of linguistic prejudice and profiling. Throughout the course, you will also learn how dialect studies are conducted. Students will have the opportunity to participate directly in the study of American dialects by taking part in one of two research projects directed by the professor: Language and Communication in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area (LCDC) or Smith Island Voices, a study of dialect variation and change in rural Smith Island, MD.