Do You Speak American?
We know people from different regions sound different, but the history of these differences is an interesting historical and cultural study. The influences on regional dialects can include immigration, media, political shifts, and societal attitude. This PBS site demonstrates many regional dialects including the Lumbee, and the Appalachian dialects from North Carolina.
Think about the issues, then explore the section called What Lies Ahead? to see the path that American English is taking as a result of the global environment, media, and technology changes. Consider using the secondary lesson plans in the Educator’s Guide or learn the basics of Sociolinguistics.



