General American English
General American English is a widely recognized variation of the English language that aims to minimize regional accents and dialects, presenting a neutral form of speech. This concept emerged as a response to the diverse dialects found across the United States, with practitioners striving for clarity and comprehension regardless of geographical location. While some linguists debate the existence of a true General American English due to its variability in different regions, others trace its roots to accents prevalent in the Middle and Midwestern United States.
Historically, the term was popularized in the early 20th century and has since come to be associated with the speech patterns of North American media figures, particularly in news broadcasts, where a neutral accent is preferred to avoid distracting viewers from the content. General American English can also denote a more formal type of English used by educated individuals, often referred to as Standard American English, which is characterized by grammatical accuracy and clear communication. Overall, General American English reflects the dynamic nature of language and the ongoing dialogue about identity, clarity, and regional variation in American English.
On this Page
Subject Terms
General American English
General American English is a variation of the English language. Throughout its history, English has substantially changed as a language. It has formed various dialects and pronunciations, many of which were the result of influence from another language or region. However, practitioners of General American English actively attempt to remove any regional dialect from their speech. They work to sound neutral, regardless of where their messages are heard.
Some linguists argue that the existence of a true General American English is impossible. They argue that different dialects and enunciations will sound neutral in different parts of the United States. For this reason, what sounds neutral in one region may sound strange in another region. Other linguists argue that General American English is based on an accent found in the Middle or Midwestern United States.
In some instances, General American English may not refer to a specific dialect. Instead, it refers to a type of English that is spoken by educated individuals in formal settings. In these circumstances, General American English should clearly communicate the speaker’s ideas and be free of any grammatical errors. However, it may include some regional dialects.
Background
English began to develop in the area now known as Britain sometime during the fifth and sixth centuries. A group of Germanic invaders attacked Britain’s northwestern coastline. After taking land, the invaders settled in the area. The Germanic language of the invaders began to spread. This language developed into a language now called Anglo-Saxon or Old English.
Old English was related to modern English. However, it was not similar enough for the modern English speaker to easily understand the surviving Old English works without translation. Old English contained three widespread dialects: West Saxon, Anglian, and Kentish. Each dialect was spoken in a different region of Britain. West Saxon was the language of the famed English King Alfred the Great. For this reason, many of the language’s surviving written works are in West Saxon.
In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded the island of Britain. He conquered the island, then settled his court there on a permanent basis. William and his nobles spoke Anglo-Norman, a language closely related to French. For this reason, the language of British nobility shifted from English to Anglo-Norman French. Though the lower classes continued to speak English, it was heavily influenced by the language of the nobility. This variant of English was called Middle English.
Linguists believe that Middle English began to transition to Early Modern English at the end of the fifteenth century. The change was driven by several factors. The first of these was the increased focus on learning that accompanied the Renaissance. These changes revolutionized the manner in which English was spoken and spread literacy more widely than ever before. Additionally, the printing press helped standardize English throughout the region.
The London dialect quickly became one of the primary contributors to Early English. London had become the largest city in England. A steady stream of immigrants to the city caused the language to evolve. This resulted in the Great Vowel Shift, which dramatically changed the way vowel sounds were pronounced within London, and eventually in English. Like Middle English and Old English, Early Modern English continued to evolve. Near the end of the nineteenth century, Early Modern English began to shift into the current form of the language.
Overview
English is the most popular language in America. However, America is a very large country with numerous population centers, each boasting their own unique heritage. For this reason, America is home to many dialects of the English language. Some regional dialects, such as those on the East Coast, tend to be similar to one another. Others, such as some regional dialects common to the Southern United States, tend to be particularly distinct.
The term “General American English” was first used by Professor George Philip Krapp in 1925. During his English studies, Krapp used the term to describe a regional dialect that he believed was becoming the dominant accent in America. In 1935, writer and English professor Albert C. Baugh helped popularize the term in his textbook A History of the English Language.
General American English came to refer to a variant of English that distinctly lacked the features of most regional dialects. Early sources claim that General American English is based on dialects common in the middle of the United States. Experts argued that such dialects sounded the least distinct to listeners, making them particularly suitable for mass marketing and audio publications.
In the modern era, General American English is commonly used on television, especially on news programs. They hope that newscasters using General American English will avoid sounding out of place in broadcasts carried all over the United States. Newscasters also argue that adopting a neutral dialect encourages audiences to focus on the message instead of any accent.
Some scholars argue that the existence of a truly neutral American accent is impossible. They claim that different enunciations and phrases will appear neutral in the various geographic regions of America, and thus, a General American accent will vary from place to place. Additionally, language is fluid and always changing. Over time, accents naturally evolve, making the definition of a truly neutral accent difficult to identify.
In academic circumstances, General American English can refer to an exemplary state of English that is used by educated speakers. This is sometimes referred to as Standard American English. It should be free of grammatical errors, and is most commonly used in formal circumstances. Unlike the variant of General American English commonly used in news broadcasts, the academic variant of the dialect does not restrict the use of regional accents. For this reason, Standard American English varies from region to region.
Bibliography
Barker, Richard. “Early Modern English (c. 1500 – c. 1800).” History of English, 3 Apr. 2024, www.thehistoryofenglish.com/early-modern-english. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Barker, Richard. “Middle English (c. 1100 – c. 1500).” History of English, 3 Apr. 2024, www.thehistoryofenglish.com/middle-english. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Devlin, Thomas Moore. “The United States of Accents: General American.” Babbel Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024, www.babbel.com/en/magazine/united-states-of-accents-general-american. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
“Early Modern English – An Overview.” Oxford English Dictionary, public.oed.com/blog/early-modern-english-an-overview. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
McWhorter, John. “How Americans Have Reshaped Language.” New York Times, 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/books/review/speaking-american-a-history-of-english-in-the-united-states-by-richard-w-bailey-book-review.html. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Nordquist, Richard. “General American English (Accent and Dialect).” ThoughtCo., 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/general-american-english-accent-and-dialect-1690783. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Nordquist, Richard. “Received Pronunciation.” ThoughtCo., 2019, www.thoughtco.com/received-pronunciation-rp-1692026. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Soniak, Matt. “When Did Americans Lose Their British Accents?” Mental Floss, 5 May 2023, www.mentalfloss.com/article/29761/when-did-americans-lose-their-british-accents. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.