American English

American English
CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	American English
States	United States
Region	North America
Family	Indo-European
Iso1	en

American English is a dialect of the English language spoken in the United States. It has been influenced by the British English of the United Kingdom, as well as by the languages of African Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The development of American English has been shaped by the country's history, including the American Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Mexican-American War. Notable figures such as Noah Webster, Mark Twain, and H.L. Mencken have also contributed to the evolution of American English, with influences from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio.

● History of

American English The history of American English began with the British colonization of the Americas, when English was first introduced to the New World by Pilgrims and other English colonists. Over time, American English developed distinct differences in Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Spelling compared to British English, with influences from French during the French and Indian War and Spanish during the Spanish-American War. The American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era also played a significant role in shaping American English, with notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and William Faulkner contributing to the language. The Harvard University Linguistics Department and the University of California, Berkeley English Department have also been instrumental in studying the history of American English, with research published in The Journal of English Linguistics and American Speech.

● Geographic Variation

American English exhibits significant geographic variation, with different regional accents and dialects found across the United States. The Northeastern United States is home to distinct dialects such as New England English and New York City English, while the Southern United States is characterized by Southern American English. The Midwestern United States has its own unique dialect, often referred to as Midwestern American English, with influences from Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis. The Western United States is home to a diverse range of dialects, including California English and Hawaiian Pidgin, with notable figures such as John Steinbeck and Jack Kerouac contributing to the region's linguistic landscape. The National Geographic Society and the United States Census Bureau have also studied geographic variation in American English, with data published in The Atlas of North American English and The American Community Survey.

● Vocabulary

American English has a unique Vocabulary that reflects the country's history and cultural diversity, with influences from African American Vernacular English, Native American languages, and Immigrant languages such as German, Italian, and Chinese. Notable dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster and Oxford English Dictionary have documented the evolution of American English vocabulary, with contributions from Noah Webster, Emily Dickinson, and Ernest Hemingway. The Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration have also preserved historical documents and texts that showcase the development of American English vocabulary, including the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. The Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award have recognized authors such as Toni Morrison and John Updike for their contributions to American English literature.

● Pronunciation

The Pronunciation of American English varies significantly across different regions and dialects, with influences from Received Pronunciation and other English dialects. The General American accent is often considered the most neutral and widely understood, while regional accents such as New York City English and Southern American English have distinct pronunciation features. Notable linguists such as William Labov and John McWhorter have studied the pronunciation of American English, with research published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America and Language. The National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Acoustical Society of America have also developed standards for the pronunciation of American English, with applications in Speech recognition and Natural language processing.

● Spelling

American English has distinct Spelling differences compared to British English, with influences from Noah Webster and other linguists. The United States has adopted unique spellings for words such as Color and Center, while Canada and other Commonwealth countries have retained British English spellings. Notable style guides such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook have established standards for spelling in American English, with contributions from The New York Times and The Washington Post. The Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration have also preserved historical documents and texts that showcase the development of American English spelling, including the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

● Grammar and Usage

The Grammar and Usage of American English have been shaped by the country's history and cultural diversity, with influences from African American Vernacular English, Native American languages, and Immigrant languages such as German, Italian, and Chinese. Notable grammarians such as Noam Chomsky and Steven Pinker have studied the grammar of American English, with research published in The Journal of Linguistics and Language. The National Council of Teachers of English and the Modern Language Association have also established standards for the teaching of American English grammar and usage, with applications in Education and Communication. The Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award have recognized authors such as Toni Morrison and John Updike for their contributions to American English literature, with notable works such as Beloved and Rabbit, Run.

Category:American English