Dictionary of American Regional English

Dictionary of American Regional English. It is a multi-volume reference work that documents the lexicon, pronunciation, and usage of non-standard English words and phrases across the United States. Founded by linguist Frederic G. Cassidy, the project represents one of the most ambitious and systematic efforts in dialectology and lexicography. Its creation involved decades of fieldwork and analysis, culminating in a publication that serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the nation's rich linguistic diversity and cultural history.

History and development

The origins of the project trace back to the 1960s under the direction of Frederic G. Cassidy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Inspired by earlier projects like the Linguistic Atlas of the United States and Canada, Cassidy secured funding from the United States Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities to launch a nationwide survey. Fieldworkers conducted interviews with thousands of informants from communities across all fifty states, using a lengthy questionnaire. After Cassidy's death, editorial leadership passed to Joan Houston Hall, who shepherded the project to its completion. The final volume was published in 2013 by Harvard University Press, marking the end of a scholarly endeavor spanning over five decades.

Scope and methodology

The project's scope is defined by its focus on regional and folk speech, deliberately excluding vocabulary common to the standard American English used in national media and formal writing. Its foundational methodology was the massive fieldwork effort, where trained researchers collected data through in-person interviews. This data was supplemented by written responses from the American Dialect Society members and citations from a vast array of regional literature, newspapers, and diaries. The editorial team, based at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, employed rigorous lexicographic principles to verify etymologies, track geographic distribution, and document phonetic variations, creating a comprehensive linguistic record.

Content and organization

Published in six physical volumes covering entries from A to Z, the content is organized alphabetically like a standard dictionary. Each entry provides the headword, variant pronunciations, geographical usage labels, detailed definitions, and illustrative quotations from the collected data. Unique features include maps showing the distribution of terms and notes on their social and historical context. The work captures a vast array of vocabulary related to domains such as agriculture, foodways, social customs, and topography, highlighting terms like "poke" (bag) in the South or "bubbler" (drinking fountain) in Wisconsin. This organization allows users to trace the linguistic landscape of communities from New England to the Pacific Northwest.

Reception and influence

Upon publication, the dictionary was widely praised by scholars in linguistics, history, and anthropology. It received the prestigious Dartmouth Medal from the American Library Association and has been cited as an authoritative source in major works like the Oxford English Dictionary. Its influence extends beyond academia, aiding writers, journalists, and legal professionals in understanding regional speech patterns. The project has also inspired similar research initiatives and is frequently used in studies on language change and cultural preservation, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of American philology.

Digital and online access

The entire dictionary is available through a comprehensive digital platform hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This online version offers advanced search capabilities, allowing users to query by word, region, or usage category, and includes interactive maps. The digital transition, supported by grants from institutions like the National Science Foundation, has greatly increased its accessibility for researchers and the public. The site also features supplementary materials such as audio clips from the original field recordings and historical notes, ensuring the continued utility and preservation of this unique linguistic archive.

Category:English-language dictionaries Category:American lexicography Category:Dialectology Category:Harvard University Press books