In this program, Robert MacNeil canvasses the North to learn firsthand about linguistic dialect zones, the tension between prescriptivism and descriptivism, the impact of dialect on grapholect, the northern cities vowel shift, the roots of African-American English, minority dialects and linguistic profiling, biases against nonstandard speech, and the general perception of the U.S. Midland dialect as "normal American." Hip-hop street talk, IM slang, Pittsburghese, and Gullah and Geechee are sampled, and Bill Labov, the dean of American linguists; Jesse Sheidlower, American editor of the august OED; and New York magazine’s John Simon are featured. Some language may be offensive. (57 minutes)

Tell a Friend! Your Name: Your Email: Your Friend's Email: Your Message: We respect your privacy and will not use your friend's address without permission. Item#: BVL33883 Copyright date: ©2005

Part of the Series : Do You Speak American?

3-Year Streaming	$169.95

Prices include public performance rights.
Only available in the US and Canada.

		Olivier's Hamlet Winner of five Academy Awards, the International Grand Prix of Venice, the New York Film Critic's Award, and the Parents Magazine Award for Extraordinary Merit, Olivier's Hamlet is no doubt the premier teaching tool for Shakespeare classes-Olivier's ...(more details)		DVD $99.95 DVD + 3-Year Streaming $149.93 3-Year Streaming $99.95
		Do You Speak American? Why is the English spoken by Maine lobstermen so different from the English spoken by Texas cowboys? What constitutes "standard English" in the U.S. today? Will Spanish displace English altogether? And how is English linked to issues of race, gender,...(more details)		3-Year Streaming $509.85
		Olivier's Henry V Is there a Shakespeare lover who does not know this superb film? Two entire generations were introduced to Shakespeare by this expansive production, which is as fresh and dramatic and deeply touching today as when first it ushered in the contemporary...(more details)		DVD $99.95 DVD + 3-Year Streaming $149.93 3-Year Streaming $99.95
		Do You Speak American? Out West In this program, Robert MacNeil heads to California to take part in meaningful dialogues on Spanglish, Chicano, Ebonics, and "Surfer Dude" before going to Seattle to consider the implications of voice-activation technology. Linguist Carmen Fought, St...(more details)		3-Year Streaming $169.95
		Do You Speak American? Down South This program follows Robert MacNeil down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Appalachia, Louisiana Cajun country, and the Tex-Mex border to examine Southern dialects and accents and the influences of French and Spanish on American English. Linguist Wa...(more details)		3-Year Streaming $169.95

See additional titles in Speech & Communication | Elements of Language | Human Communication | Social Structure