Languages are typically viewed as the system of signs that allows people to articulate their ideas in a clear manner. However, no language is a monolith, which is proven by the presence of numerous dialects within every language. Although dialects are usually viewed as the characteristics that separate a certain population into groups, regional and social dialects should be viewed as an opportunity to explore the notion of diversity and understand the factors that shape people’s culture and perceptions.
The film “American Tongues” features a range of dialects, including regional and social ones. The New York dialect could be seen as a specimen of the regional kind since it is tied to its location and does not articulate any social characteristics of its speakers (Marshall). In turn, the Texas dialect is perceived as delineating the differences between the lower and the middle social classes. The presence of the described dialect suggests a certain social status and implies the lack of proper education: “I don’t want anyone who is not very smart representing my company” (Marshall 00:36:23-00:36:26).
The factors that define the development of dialects are not necessarily linked to the geographic location of the people that speak them; moreover, dialects shape people’s perception of others and indicate their cultural and social characteristics. Though regional dialects are the ones to be typically associated with the titular concept, social dialects also exist, connecting people based not on their geographic location but on other characteristics, such as ethnicity, class, and culture.
Work Cited
Marshall, Nicholas. American Tongues (1988). YouTube, uploaded by Nicholas Marshall, 2020.