0521771757.Cambridge.University.Press.Language.in.the.USA.Themes.for.the.Twenty-first.Century.Aug.2004_copy

Origins and History of American English

• American English reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic influences and borrowings.

• Historically began with guaiacum in 1533 from the Taino language.

• Significant vocabulary from Native American languages includes words like

  • chocolate, canoe, powwow.

  • Example words like mangummenauk (edible acorn) and netop (good friend) did not persist.

Linguistic Diversity

the U.S. has always been highly multilingual, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries.

• Ethnic influences on language:

  • Bogus (African)

  • Cookie (Dutch)

  • Bayou (French)

  • Macaroni (Italian)

  • Bagel (Yiddish)

• 17th century saw pidgin varieties of English among diverse speakers

• Schools made accommodations for multilingualism (German, Mohawk).

Changes through Time

• Post WWI saw increase in monolingual attitudes; multilingualism viewed unfavorably.

• Contrast between American and British English developed over centuries; mutual intelligibility remains strong.

Language Contact

• With the arrival of English speakers, America presented a linguistically diverse environment:

  • The use of exotic words illustrates settlers' fascination with the new world (e.g., tobacco, tomato).

  • Many words fell out of use, making historical linguistic evidence selective.

Multilingual Situations

• Experiences in mixed languages led to varied responses from speakers:

• Some remained steadfastly monolingual, fostering linguistic purism.

• Others adapted and became multilingual, navigating various interactions fluidly.

Innovation in American English

• Numerous innovative terms emerged:

  • Initialisms like AIDS

  • Manufactured words like Kleenex

  • Derived forms like antinuclear and compounds like rock star.

Historical Context and Cultural Exchange

• Noteworthy encounters:

  • The exchange between settlers and diverse groups (e.g., Dutch, Spanish) influenced vocabulary and social practices.

• Examples of blending include cookie from Dutch and cole slaw from German.

Evolving Perspectives on American English

• Views on linguistics shaped by social climate shifts; John Donne reflects early perspectives on America.

• Bilingualism and the participation of diverse communities evolved with immigration waves and settlements.

Conclusion

• American English is characterized by its dynamic history and enduring coexistence of varied linguistic influences, continuously shaped by social transformations.

American English reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic influences and borrowings, beginning historically with terms like guaiacum from the Taino language in 1533. It includes significant vocabulary from Native American languages, with examples like chocolate and canoe, though some words did not persist in use. The U.S. has always had linguistic diversity, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, with influences from various ethnic groups contributing terms such as bogus (African), cookie (Dutch), bayou (French), macaroni (Italian), and bagel (Yiddish). During the 17th century, pidgin varieties of English were common among diverse speakers, and schools made accommodations for multilingualism, notably German and Mohawk.

After WWI, there was a shift towards monolingual attitudes, viewing multilingualism unfavorably. Distinctions between American and British English emerged over time, while mutual intelligibility remained strong. The arrival of English speakers introduced a linguistically diverse environment, leading to a fascination with exotic words from the new world, although many ultimately fell out of use. Experiences in mixed languages led to varied responses from speakers, with some maintaining monolingual purism and others becoming multilingual.

Numerous innovative terms in American English emerged, including initialisms like AIDS, manufactured words like Kleenex, and derived forms like antinuclear. Historical encounters, such as settlements with Dutch and Spanish groups, influenced vocabulary and social practices, exemplified by words like cookie from Dutch and cole slaw from German. Evolving perspectives on American English reflect the changing social climate, with bilingualism growing through waves of immigration and settlements. In summary, American English is characterized by its dynamic history and the coexistence of diverse linguistic influences.

American English reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic influences and borrowings, beginning historically with terms like guaiacum from the Taino language in 1533. It includes significant vocabulary from Native American languages, with examples like chocolate and canoe, though some words did not persist in use. The U.S. has always had linguistic diversity, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, with influences from various ethnic groups contributing terms such as bogus (African), cookie (Dutch), bayou (French), macaroni (Italian), and bagel (Yiddish). During the 17th century, pidgin varieties of English were common among diverse speakers, and schools made accommodations for multilingualism, notably German and Mohawk.

After WWI, there was a shift towards monolingual attitudes, viewing multilingualism unfavorably. Distinctions between American and British English emerged over time, while mutual intelligibility remained strong. The arrival of English speakers introduced a linguistically diverse environment, leading to a fascination with exotic words from the new world, although many ultimately fell out of use. Experiences in mixed languages led to varied responses from speakers, with some maintaining monolingual purism and others becoming multilingual.

Numerous innovative terms in American English emerged, including initialisms like AIDS, manufactured words like Kleenex, and derived forms like antinuclear. Historical encounters, such as settlements with Dutch and Spanish groups, influenced vocabulary and social practices, exemplified by words like cookie from Dutch and cole slaw from German. Evolving perspectives on American English reflect the changing social climate, with bilingualism growing through waves of immigration and settlements. In summary, American English is characterized by its dynamic history and the coexistence of diverse linguistic influences.