Linguistic Dialect Differences

Distinctively diverse dialects are not necessarily a negative attribute of a community, but such distinguishing language does set a particular region or group of people apart from others. Differences in dialects include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and the most easily recognizable from area to area: common expressions. Through a simple interview research project I hope to examine first hand how individuals’ speech patterns differentiate based on origin/regional differences as well as age/generational differences. This interview process will examine each individual’s response to common words and/or expressions, such as the new limited access road or a carbonated drink. The pressing issue and interest in analyzing what seems like a unique attribute of a group of individuals actually pertains to the fact that certain dialects are inhibiting individuals and/or specific geographic areas from succeeding in the professional work world. The purpose of this research is to identify to whom is affected, based on what determining factors, and subsequently what would be a possible solution to equalizing the playing field. For my own research I have chosen to interview seven people whom I think encompass a variety of education level, age, and place of origin. I figured the grouping of my grandmother, mother, and sister, from Maryland and Pennsylvania, would do a good job of showing the differences and changes over the time period of three generations within our family. I also chose three University of Georgia students, but made sure they were born and raised in very geographically different environments, such as California, Illinois, and Georgia. Lastly I interviewed my middle school teacher who taught in Maryland, but grew up in Wiscons...

... middle of paper ...

...are our experiences with others, and to benefit from their experiences” (University of Georgia). As long as our variances in communication do not take away from this necessity, there is no need to make a big fuss about the differences.

Works Cited

Hickey, Walter. "22 Maps That Show How Americans Speak English Totally Differently From Each Other." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 5 June 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. .

Gonzalez, Jason. "Human Communication: Language Structure." Anthropology 1102. University of Georgia. Miller Learning Center, Athens. 24 Jan. 2014. Class lecture.

University of Georgia, Department of Anthropology. "Language and Communication." Introduction to Anthropology. 15 Ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill Education, 2013. 310-319. Print.