Description:
English, like all other languages, changes over time and varies according to place and social setting. The way a person sounds—such as with the “southern drawl” or dropping their “r”s—immediately conjures up a sense of the place where they come from. But the way we speak is influenced by many factors: not only our geographical roots, but our social and educational background, our working environment, our friends, our sense of identity, and even our political views all affect how we sound. In this course, we will examine English dialects and accents around the world, and how they changed over time. We will observe how English speakers can manipulate the way they speak to emphasize their identity. We will contemplate how Bostonians and New Yorkers, posh and working-class Londoners, Scots and Irishmen, Canadians and Australians speak. Led by an expert on linguistics and history Asya Pereltsvaig, Ph.D., this course will open your eyes - and your ears! - to the great diversity of English around the world.
Bring to Class:
Location:
Online via Zoom, link will be sent via email prior to the class
Registration Cutoff Date:
