American Dialects Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on American dialects.

Dialect

A variety of a language that is systematically different from other varieties, including differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Pennsylvania Dutch

A variety of German spoken by the Amish and other communities in Pennsylvania, which is derived from the German word 'Deutsche'.

Appalachian English

A dialect of English spoken in the Appalachian region that has distinct phonological and lexical features.

Pittsburghese

A regional dialect of English spoken in Pittsburgh, characterized by unique vocabulary and pronunciation.

Language contact

The interaction of speakers of different languages or dialects, leading to borrowing of words and influences on grammar.

Retention

The maintenance of features from a speaker's original dialect after they move to a new region.

Social identity

The way dialects contribute to community identity and social belonging among speakers.

Geographical isolation

A factor that helps maintain local dialects due to limited interaction with outside influences.

Coinage

The process of creating new words or expressions in a language, often in response to cultural changes.

Syntactic structure

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.