Lesson 6: Dialects

idiolect

an individual’s unique way of speaking, influenced by their dialect and personality

Standard American English

a form of American English without many regionally-influenced characteristics; can be spoken or written;  

vernacular dialect

a dialect that is perceived as non-standard due to its grammatical forms

informal standard English

spoken version of SAE that is based on what speakers think sounds right.

General American English

used to describe dialects that lack a distinct regional accent

formal standard English

subcategory of SAE that usually refers to written SAE, like grammar textbooks and dictionaries.

chain shift

a vowel changes its place of articulation, which shifts surrounding vowels

vowel merger

 vowels with separate articulations fuse into a similar place of articulation