Summary
An exploration of the evolution of American English, focusing on the historical influence of British pronunciation and the shift in prestige patterns following World War II.
Highlights
Defining Standard American English00:00:01
Linguist Bill Labov discusses the concept of standard American English, explaining that while it is not a fixed dialect, it has historically gravitated toward a non-local broadcast standard.
The Influence of British Received Pronunciation00:00:55
Early American standard English was heavily modeled after British pronunciation, particularly in elite cities like Boston and New York, characterized by an R-less dialect.
The FDR Standard00:01:33
President Franklin D. Roosevelt serves as a primary example of the upper-class, R-less prestige pattern that dominated American speech until the end of World War II.
Post-War Linguistic Shift00:02:45
Following World War II, a significant reversal occurred where the R-less pronunciation lost its prestige status, and Americans began emphasizing the R sound to establish a more distinct national identity.