Chapter 4: Language
and Culture--Words and Meaning
Worksheet for video "American Tongues"
Discussion Questions on the video “American Tongues”
What kinds of dialect differences do you notice in this
area?
When you travel someplace outside of the regions is there
anything in particular people notice about your speech?
A man from Ohio says that in his area they speak “just plain American, no dialect, no accent . . .straight out of the dictionary.” Does this man speak a dialect? Do you speak a dialect?
(Pronunciation) What are some of the differences
in how people from different regions recite “Mary had a little lamb”?
(Vocabulary) Are there words in the video that
you did not know before viewing it? Which ones?
What are some of the different words or expressions from
this region that people from another area might not know?
(Grammar) How do people from different social
groups use grammar in different ways?
(Language Functions—The way language forms are used
to carry out the social functions of communication) Can you different
kinds of greeting style that different groups have?
What are some ways that people use language differently
as they relate to each other?
C. Reasons for dialect differences: settlement patterns, migration, contact with other languages, physical and social isolation.
(Settlement patterns) What does the Boston
Brahmin gentleman mean when he says, “I’ve been here 350 years . . . We came
over with the first load of bricks”? How might this be reflected in the
language of some parts of New England?
Do you know where the original settlers from your area
come from? Are there any features of the local dialects you think can be
traced to these early settlers?
(Migration) As the United States was settled,
what were some of the major trends in the movement of people? Do you see a
relation between the major routes of movement and some of the dialects of
English?
What major routes of migration affected this area? Can
you see these major routes in the local dialect?
(Contact with other languages) Can you think of
other words from other languages that are used in certain regions? Why are
certain foreign words used in some regions and not in others?
(Physical and social isolation) What physical
conditions about Appalachia or Tangier Island might cause these dialects to
become quite distinct? What social conditions might have gone along with the
physical separation?
How might you account for the differences in a dialect like African American English?
(Prestige) Are there any dialects that are
prestigious in the presentation? Why?
What dialects are socially stigmatized? Why are they
stigmatized?
One of the people appearing in the tape says that we
“automatically” judge people from the way they talk. Do you agree? Suppose
you get a phone call from someone you have never met; would you form an
opinion of the person based on speech?
(Dialect prejudice) How have dialects been used
to create stereotypes in the movies and the media?
What are some scenes in “American Tongues” that show
prejudice against the speech of a particular region, class, or social group?
How do people feel about themselves when they are
constantly told that their dialect is inferior? How does the salewoman from
Brooklyn feel about her Brookslyn speech whan she travels to different parts
of the United States?
Where did you sympathies lie when the New England woman described her feelings about her fiancée’s Southern speech?
What are some of the positive reasons for using a local
dialect?
In the segment filmed in Kentucky, one man says “I’m just
a plain old hillbilly.” Why do you think he says this?
How does Phillip, the North End Boston teenager, use a
vernacular dialect to his advantage? Are there other cases where a community
dialect is used to an advantage?
Phillip says that he uses his dialect to intimidate
people. Have you ever felt intimidated by someone’s dialect?
What positive effect might a regional dialect have in
advertising? Are there any particular products that might lend themselves to
advertising using a local dialect?
F. The uses of standard and vernacular dialects
Are there some advantages to speaking a standard
dialect? Why does the saleswoman from Brooklyn want to learn a dialect that
is not associated with Brooklyn?
The speech therapist says that standard English is
strongly associated with the corporate image in our society. Do you agree
with him? Why/Why not?
Are there any disadvantages to speaking standard English
in certain contexts? Can you think of contexts in which a local dialect
would be appropriate and a standard dialect would not?
Learning a standard dialect can often cause a dilemma for
a person because of a conflict between the “outside “ world and the local
community. Phillip’s brother says that Phillip sometimes embarrasses him with
his speech. At the same time, Phillip says that he uses his dialect to his
advantage. How do these illustrate different forces at work in the choice of
a dialect?
A young African American woman says that when she is in
her professional world, she “corrects” her speech, and when she is with
friends, she speaks in a local dialect, reflecting her identity as a Southern
girl. Why would she want to maintain both dialects?
What advantages may come from being able to shift
dialects?
Do you shift dialects depending on where you are and the people you’re talking to? What are some settings where you might shift your dialect?