Dialectology
Emphasizes geography rather than the effects of social factors.
Major Dialect Areas Scroll down to see map
In what ways is this simplified?
Another Map of US Dialect Areas
Pop/Coke/Soda Look at statistics for Iron and Millard Counties.
Vowel Differences
Merger of [ɑ] and [ɔ] dawn/Don, cot/caught, sod/sawed
Merger of [I] and [ɛ] him/hem, pin/pen
Merger of [il] and [Il] heel/hill, feel/fill
Merger of [ejl] and [ɛl] male/Mel, fell/fail
Merger of [hw] and [w] whale/wail, witch/which
Northern US r-lessness; Northeastern and Northern cities shift
Language Attitudes scroll down for maps
Test Your Knowledge of American Dialects
American English is Easy to Understand, Right?
Hands on Activities
1. Take this 31 item survey, then look at the results (especially the international ones). We've seen some of these before.
2. Using PRAAT, record yourself saying these sentences:
1. She twisted her right ankle.
2. They knew that any attempt would fail.
3. If he could just shut up.
4. The tablet in the bottle is aspirin.
Instructions for recording in PRAAT are here. Save the files as WAV files named 1.wav through 4.wav on your desktop.
Only AFTER you've made your recordings should you go to this page.