As we reflect on America at 250, Americans will do so in an English that is all our own. Within our shared language, it will still vary (sometimes dramatically) depending on the region of the United States we find ourselves in or have relocated from. In “How We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents,” Professor of Linguistics Dr. Valerie Fridland unlocks the secrets of what linguistic science, psychology, and history can tell us about the evolution of human speech, why accents develop, and how they shape our professional and social lives. Whether it’s the accent that hints at your hometown, your group, your social status, or your ethnicity, the sounds we say reveal a lot about who we are and where we’ve been – even for those who might think they have no accent at all.
The story of language is the story of humanity and the funny sounds we make – whether from the mouths of ancient ancestors or the tongues of screenbound teens – all come from the same powerful desire to communicate and belong. Join us for a program that will change the way you think about your own accent – and transform the way you listen to the sounds of others.
Recommended reading available at The Bookworm in Edwards:
“Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents” by Valerie Fridland
