English in the Southern United States (Studies in English Language)

The English of the southern United States is possibly the most studied of any regional variety of any language because of its rich internal diversity, its distinctiveness among regional varieties in the United States, its significance as a marker of regional identity, and the general folkloric appeal of southern culture. However, most, if not all, books about Southern American English have been directed almost exclusively toward scholars already working in the field. This 2003 volume, written by a team of experts, many of them internationally known, provides a broad overview of the foundations of and research on language variation in the southern United States designed to invite inquiry and inquirers. It explores historical and cultural elements, iconic contemporary features, and changes in progress. Central themes, issues and topics of scholarly investigation and debate figure prominently throughout the volume. The extensive bibliography will facilitate continued research. This Volume, Written By A Team Of Experts Many Of Whom Are Internationally Known, Provides A Broad Overview Of The Foundations Of, And Current Research On, Language Variation In The Southern United States Designed To Invite New Inquiry And Inquirers. It Explores Historical And Cultural Elements, Iconic Contemporary Features, And Current Changes In Progress. Central Themes, Issues, And Topics Of Scholarly Investigation And Debate Figure Prominently Throughout The Volume. The Extensive Bibliography At The End Of The Book Will Facilitate Continued Research.--jacket. 1. The Origins Of Southern American English / John Algeo -- 2. Shakespeare In The Coves And Hollows? : Toward A History Of Southern English / Edgar Schneider -- 3. Eight Grammatical Features Of Southern Us Speech Present In Early Modern London Prison Narratives / Laura Wright -- 4. The Shared Ancestry Of African-american And American White Southern Englishes : Some Speculations Dictated By History / Salikoko Mufwene -- 5. The Complex Grammatical History Of African-american And White Vernaculars In The South / Patricia Cukor-avila -- 6. Grammatical Features Of Southern Speech : Yall, Might Could, And Fixin To / Cynthia Bernstein -- 7. Sounding Southern : A Look At The Phonology Of English In The South / George Dorrill -- 8. Vowel Shifting In The Southern States / Crawford Feagin -- 9. Enclave Dialect Communities In The South / Walt Wolfram -- 10. Urbanization And The Evolution Of Southern American English / Jan Tillery And Guy Bailey -- 11. The Englishes Of Southern Louisiana / Connie Eble -- 12. Features And Uses Of Southern Style / Barbara Johnstone. Edited By Stephen J. Nagle And Sara L. Sanders. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 208-232) And Index. "The English of the southern United States is possibly the most studied of any regional variety of any language because of its rich internal diversity, its distinctiveness among regional varieties in the United States, its significance as a marker of regional identity, and the general folkloric appeal of southern culture. However, most, if not all, books about Southern American English have been directed almost exclusively toward scholars already working in the field. This volume, written by a team of experts, many of them internationally known, provides a broad overview of the foundations of and current research on language variation in the southern United States designed to invite new inquiry and inquirers. It explores historical and cultural elements, iconic contemporary features, and current changes in progress. Central themes, issues and topics of scholarly investigation and debate figure prominently throughout the volume. The extensive bibliography will facilitate continued research"--Publisher description

The English of the Southern United States is possibly the most studied of any regional variety of any language. However, most, if not all, books about Southern American English have been directed almost exclusively toward scholars already working in the field. Written by a team of experts, many of them internationally known, this volume provides a broad overview of the foundations of, and current research on, language variation in the Southern United States.