HUE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF OPEN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ENGLISH LANGUAGE -🙢🙢🙢 - SOCIOLINGUISTIC PROJECT Lecturer: PhD Trần Thuần Student: Bùi Ngọc Ánh Student’s code: 7052900486 Class: Nghệ An Topic: Examine the differences between the English spoken in Boston and the English spoken in the southern area of the United States Why you think there are such dialectal evidence Nghệ An - 2023 I Introduction English, as the official and widely spoken language in the United States, exhibits rich linguistic diversity across different regions Two prominent dialects, Boston English and Southern American English, showcase distinct linguistic features shaped by historical, cultural, and social influences This essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the differences between Boston English and Southern American English, examining the specific linguistic evidence supporting these dialectal variations II Pronunciation A Boston English Non-rhoticity: A notable feature of Boston English is its non-rhotic pronunciation, where the "r" sound is often dropped at the end of words or before consonants This linguistic trait can be traced back to the region's historical connection to British English, particularly the non-rhotic variety spoken in southeastern England during the colonial era The pronunciation patterns of early English settlers, combined with subsequent waves of Irish immigration in the 19th century, further solidified the non-rhotic nature of Boston English Broad "a": Boston English is characterized by the distinct broad "a" sound in certain words This phenomenon, known as the "Boston accent," can be attributed to the region's linguistic heritage influenced by early Puritan settlers and subsequent waves of Irish immigration The pronunciation of words like "park" as "pahk" reflects the historical development of the Boston accent B Southern American English Rhoticity: In contrast to Boston English, Southern American English is generally rhotic, meaning the "r" sound is fully pronounced in most positions The rhotic pronunciation in Southern dialects can be attributed to the linguistic influence of English settlers in the Southern colonies, who spoke rhotic dialects Unlike the non-rhotic tendencies that emerged in other regions, the Southern colonies maintained the rhotic pronunciation, which has persisted over time Vowel variations: Southern American English exhibits vowel shifts that differentiate it from other dialects One notable vowel shift is the "monophthongization" of the diphthong /aɪ/ to /aː/, resulting in pronunciations like "ride" becoming "rahd." This vowel shift is a characteristic feature of Southern dialects, influenced by the speech patterns of early English settlers and subsequent interactions with other languages, including African languages and various creole languages spoken by enslaved African Americans These linguistic interactions gave rise to unique vowel pronunciations found in Southern American English III Vocabulary 2,3 A Boston English Terms of Irish influence: Boston English exhibits vocabulary influenced by the city's significant Irish immigrant population Irish terms and expressions have permeated the local dialect, reflecting the cultural and historical ties between Boston and Ireland Words like "wicked" used as an intensifier ("very") and phrases like "bang a U-ey" (make a U-turn) exemplify the Irish influence on Boston English Distinctive vocabulary: Boston English has developed its own set of unique vocabulary, often influenced by the region's history, culture, and local institutions For instance, terms like "bubbler" for a drinking fountain and "rotary" for a traffic circle are commonly used in Boston English These distinctive vocabulary items contribute to the sense of identity and community among Bostonians B Southern American English Southern drawl: Southern American English is characterized by a distinct drawl and slower speech pattern, which sets it apart from other dialects This speech pattern reflects the relaxed pace of Southern society and is influenced by cultural factors such as hospitality and traditions deeply rooted in the region The Southern drawl contributes to the overall rhythm and cadence of Southern American English Unique vocabulary: Southern American English incorporates vocabulary specific to the region's cultural heritage and historical context Expressions like "y'all" (you all), "fixin' to" (getting ready to), and "bless your heart" (a phrase with various meanings, including empathy or subtle criticism) are commonly used in Southern dialects The unique vocabulary reflects the region's history of colonial settlement, slavery, and African American influence, as well as its agrarian roots and distinctive social customs IV Grammar and Syntax 4,5 A Boston English Drop of the auxiliary "to be": In certain contexts, speakers of Boston English omit the auxiliary "to be" in present tense constructions This linguistic feature is known as "contracted be." For example, "She is going" becomes "She going." This phenomenon can be traced back to the influence of the Irish language, which lacks a distinct present tense form of the verb "to be." Use of double modals: Boston English employs double modals, such as "might could" or "might should," to express possibility or uncertainty This usage can be attributed to the region's historical contact with dialects that exhibit similar features, such as Appalachian English The usage of double modals in Boston English is a distinctive grammatical trait that sets it apart from other dialects B Southern American English Use of "be" for ongoing actions: Southern American English often uses the construction "be + verb" to convey ongoing actions For instance, "She be working" indicates continuous present action This usage can be traced back to the influence of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), which has had a significant impact on Southern dialects The "be" construction in Southern American English is a remnant of the African languages' habitual aspect, which is preserved in AAVE and adopted by Southern speakers Negative concord: Southern dialects frequently employ double negatives for emphasis, such as "I don't know nothing." This usage deviates from standard English grammar rules, but it is a common feature in many Southern dialects The use of negative concord can be traced back to the influence of various non-standard dialects spoken in the region, including Scots-Irish dialects and African American English V Historical and Cultural Influences 3,4,5 A Boston English Irish immigration: The significant influx of Irish immigrants in Boston during the 19th century left a lasting impact on the local dialect The Irish immigrants brought their own speech patterns, vocabulary, and pronunciation, which merged with the existing linguistic landscape of Boston The non-rhotic pronunciation and vocabulary influenced by Irish terms and expressions are direct evidence of the Irish influence on Boston English Puritan influence: Boston's history as a Puritan settlement during the colonial period also contributed to the development of linguistic features in Boston English The Puritans held strong religious and cultural beliefs, which influenced language use Their linguistic conservatism and the preservation of archaic grammatical structures can be observed in certain aspects of Boston English B Southern American English Colonial settlement and slavery: The settlement of English colonies in the South, along with the institution of slavery, played a significant role in shaping the linguistic landscape of Southern American English The English spoken by early settlers in the Southern colonies, who hailed from diverse regions in England, established the foundation of Southern dialects The interaction between English and African languages, particularly during the period of slavery, led to the emergence of unique vocabulary, pronunciation patterns, and grammatical features in Southern American English Agrarian society and isolation: The agrarian economy of the Southern region, characterized by large plantations and isolated communities, contributed to the preservation of linguistic features in Southern American English The agricultural lifestyle, with limited mobility and interaction with speakers of other dialects, allowed the dialect to develop and evolve independently The isolation of Southern communities further solidified distinct linguistic patterns, including vocabulary choices, pronunciation variations, and grammatical structures VI Socio-cultural Factors A Boston English Higher education and intellectual influence: Boston is renowned for its prestigious universities and academic institutions, such as Harvard and MIT The presence of these institutions has had a significant impact on the language use in the area The influence of higher education and intellectual discourse has contributed to a more formal and educated variant of Boston English The use of standardized grammar and vocabulary, as well as a focus on clarity and precision in communication, can be observed in the speech of educated Bostonians 5 Influence of the working-class population: Boston's working-class population, known for its strong sense of community and local pride, has played a role in shaping the dialect The working-class dialect of Boston English exhibits unique vocabulary choices and pronunciation patterns that reflect the cultural values and social identity of the working-class communities in the area These linguistic features have been passed down through generations and contribute to the distinct character of Boston English B Southern American English Deep-rooted traditions and values: The Southern region is known for its deep-rooted traditions, including hospitality, politeness, and a strong sense of social hierarchy These cultural values influence the language use in the region The slower speech pattern, the use of honorifics and respectful terms, and the overall politeness of Southern American English can be attributed to the influence of Southern traditions and values Influence of African American culture: African American culture has had a profound influence on the development of Southern American English, particularly in urban areas with significant African American populations African American Vernacular English (AAVE) has influenced vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures in Southern dialects The linguistic features of AAVE, such as unique vocabulary items, pronunciation patterns, and grammatical constructions, have permeated Southern American English, especially in African American communities, reflecting the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of African Americans in the region VII Conclusion In conclusion, the differences between Boston English and Southern American English can be attributed to a combination of historical, cultural, and social factors The non-rhotic pronunciation and vocabulary influenced by Irish immigration are distinctive features of Boston English On the other hand, Southern American English is characterized by rhoticity, vowel variations, unique vocabulary, and grammatical patterns influenced by the colonial history, slavery, agrarian society, and cultural values of the Southern region Additionally, sociocultural factors, including higher education, working-class influence, deep-rooted traditions, and the impact of African American culture, have contributed to the development and preservation of these dialectal differences Understanding and appreciating these dialectal variations enhance our knowledge of the linguistic diversity within the United States and the complex interplay between language, history, culture, and society REFERENCE MATERIALS Labov, W (2010) Principles of Linguistic Change: Cognitive and Cultural Factors (Vol 3) John Wiley & Sons Wolfram, W., & Schilling-Estes, N (2006) American English: Dialects and Variation Blackwell Publishing Montgomery, M B., & Thomas, E R (Eds.) (2013) Language and Linguistics in Context: Readings and Applications for Teachers (2nd ed.) Routledge Hall, R A., & Bucholtz, M (Eds.) (2019) The Oxford Handbook of Sociolinguistics Oxford University Press Labov, W., Ash, S., & Boberg, C (2006) The Atlas of North American English: Phonetics, Phonology and Sound Change Walter de Gruyter