Standard American English: Is there an appropriate way to speak American English? By: Christina Harrison

American Standard English “No single, universally accepted standard for how to speak or write American English”. America’s midland often has the most neutral sounding accent.

Standard American dialect Idealized dialect The unaccented variety is taught by dialect coaches. Only spoken by actors and professional communicators.

Where is American Standard Speech? No where!! Adopted by linguist William Tilly Based “loosely” on the speech of the Northeast “It was spoken by the cultured, well educated, well traveled people of the early 20 th century”. Often found in old movies: ▫Click to here to go to see an old movie example.Click to here to go to see an old movie example.

Formal Language Legislation? United States has no official department of language No plan on creating an official language A universal standard American English is not likely to happen anytime soon.

What does this mean? “American Heritage suggests there's no single, universally accepted standard for how to speak or write American English. Even so, school systems, professional communicators and businesses all have standards and, not surprisingly, the rules (at least for grammar) do not vary dramatically from place to place. “

References (March 7, 2011). Do you speak America: Standard American English. PBS. Retrieved from merican/. merican/ Brian Williams picture: flickr.com/photos/ari/ / flickr.com/photos/ari/ / Movie clip: by: bigpimpdaddie, U2cONs&safety_mode=true&persist_safe ty_mode=1bigpimpdaddie U2cONs&safety_mode=true&persist_safe ty_mode=1