At first, it will be discussed which countries or regions are included in Kachru’s (2006) classification of the three diasporas, with the second one being outlined in more detail due to including the country of focus of this paper, the United States.
The first part of the paper will then focus on the historical spread and development of the English language in the United States. This analysis will begin with the first settlers arriving in 1607 illustrating the first steps of the language on the new continent. It will then further be argued how the first settlers began mixing their way of speaking from their respective country or region of origin and how the linguistic landscape was further changed once the first non-English speaking immigrant began arriving in the nation. Historical events will also be analyzed throughout the paper in order to reach a better understanding of how the English language has been influenced by not only the country’s settlers, but also by major events taking place. These events will include the gain of further territory by war, against Spain and Mexico, by purchase, the Louisiana Purchase from France, and by expanding the borders of the nation in form of the Westward Expansion. This part will further feature a brief outline of the attempts to establish linguistic unity throughout the whole nation by trailblazers, such as Noah Webster and his dictionary.
The second part of the paper will focus on today’s linguistic landscape in the United States. An overview of multiple dialects will be provided by taking Crystal’s (2003) classification of American dialect regions into account. These chosen dialects will be analyzed in terms of how they came to be throughout the city’s or region’s history and what their future might look like. Additionally, two ethnic varieties of American English will be outlined, in order to show that the development of the English language on the American continent is not only restricted to migratory movement, but also by numerous different cultural backgrounds and heritages connected to one’s own identity. All of these dialects and varieties will be analyzed linguistically as well with some distinctive features being provided to illustrate their uniqueness.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Kachru’s classification of the three diasporas
2.1 The first diaspora
2.2 The second diaspora
2.2.1 Canada
2.2.2 Australia and New Zealand
2.3 The third diaspora
3. The historical spread and development of English in the United States
3.1 Early beginnings on the new continent
3.2 More land, more settlers, more languages
3.3 Native population and slaves
3.4 British and American English drifting apart?
3.5 Search for linguistic unity
3.6 English going west
3.6.1 The beginnings of the Westward Expansion
3.6.2 The Louisiana Purchase
3.6.3 Expanding into Spanish-speaking territory
3.6.4 The Oregon Trail
3.6.5 Linguistic results of the Westward Expansion
3.7 Generational gap
3.8 Spanish on its way to threaten the English linguistic supremacy?
4. The linguistic situation of English in the US as of today
4.1 English in the South
4.1.1 Southern American English
4.1.2 Appalachian English
4.1.3 Texas English
4.1.4 New Orleans English
4.2 English in the North
4.2.1 New England English
4.2.2 Maine English
4.2.3 New York English
4.2.4 Philadelphia English
4.3 Midland English
4.3.1 Midwestern English
4.3.2 St. Louis English
4.3.3 California English
4.3.4 Arizona English
4.4 Ethnic varieties of American English
4.4.1 African American English
4.4.2 Chicano English
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The paper examines the historical expansion of the English language across the North American continent and its subsequent development into a diverse landscape of distinct regional dialects and ethnic varieties. It explores how historical events, such as colonization, settlement patterns, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Westward Expansion, have influenced the linguistic evolution of American English and shaped its current sociolinguistic status.
- Kachru’s classification of English diasporas
- Historical development and linguistic colonization
- Noah Webster’s efforts toward a unified American standard
- Dialectal diversity across Southern, Northern, and Midland regions
- Influence of ethnic varieties like African American and Chicano English
- Future trends in American linguistic demography
Excerpt from the Book
3.6.3 Expanding into Spanish-speaking territory
Several years after the United States were able to extend their territory even further to the west, they were once again involved in a war trying to push their boundaries. This time their eyes were set on Florida, which was under Spanish possession, trying to close the gap in their coastline between the state of Georgia and newly acquired Louisiana. After being victorious they were ceded Florida in 1821 through the Adams-Onís Treaty (cf. Mountjoy 2009, 30f). This meant that once again a colony of non-English origin was being incorporated into the United States. Besides indigenous languages, such as the one of the Seminole tribes, Spanish was the language spoken by the regions inhabitants and now English again meant to take over as the leading language.
Two decades after gaining the territory of Florida from the Spanish, the United States were again looking to extend their nation into Spanish-speaking land. This time their eyes were set on today’s southwestern region of the US, which after the end of the Spanish colonial empire had become part of newly independent Mexico (see Figure 4). After the American troops were victorious the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848. The United States were ceded an enormous territory which included today’s states of “New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, and western Colorado” (cf. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc 2021). Due to this newly gained land the United States were finally able to call themselves a nation stretching from coast to coast, which subsequently meant that English was to become a language of even greater expansion.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the paper's focus on the spread and development of the English language in the United States within the framework of Kachru’s three diasporas.
2. Kachru’s classification of the three diasporas: This section introduces the concept of the three diasporas and briefly outlines how English dispersed across different global regions.
3. The historical spread and development of English in the United States: This chapter analyzes the primary historical events and settlement phases that facilitated the establishment and diversification of English on the American continent.
4. The linguistic situation of English in the US as of today: The author provides a detailed, region-by-region classification and linguistic analysis of contemporary American dialects and ethnic varieties.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes how historical factors and continuous internal migration have prevented the formation of a homogeneous language, instead fostering a complex, diverse linguistic mosaic.
6. Bibliography: This section lists all academic sources and references consulted for the research.
Keywords
American English, Kachru, linguistic landscape, regional dialects, Westward Expansion, Noah Webster, ethnic varieties, African American English, Chicano English, language contact, sociolinguistics, colonial history, Louisiana Purchase, linguistic evolution, dialectal diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic paper?
The paper surveys the historical spread of the English language to the North American continent and its evolution into the diverse linguistic landscape observed in the United States today.
Which theoretical framework is used to categorize the spread of English?
The author utilizes Braj Kachru’s (2006) classification of the three diasporas to conceptualize how English expanded globally.
What is the central research question or goal?
The goal is to demonstrate how history, colonization, and subsequent internal migration and cultural blending have shaped American English into a non-homogeneous system of dialects and varieties.
Which historical events are identified as key drivers of linguistic change?
Significant events include early settlements in Virginia and New England, the Louisiana Purchase, the acquisition of Florida, the Westward Expansion, and the subsequent incorporation of Spanish-speaking territories.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body provides detailed historical background on settlement patterns and a systematic linguistic survey of dialectal regions (Northern, Midland, Southern) and ethnic varieties such as African American and Chicano English.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include American English, linguistic diversity, dialect regions, colonial legacy, and ethnic linguistic varieties.
Why does the author discuss Noah Webster in such detail?
Noah Webster is highlighted as a representative figure of the American desire for linguistic independence from Great Britain through his attempts to standardize spelling and create a unique American dictionary.
What is the significance of the "Sun Belt accent" mentioned in the text?
The Sun Belt accent is noted as a modern development resulting from the population growth and settling processes occurring throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
How is the influence of Spanish analyzed in this document?
Spanish is analyzed both as a historical legacy of early colonial lands and as a contemporary factor that, through rising demographics, may challenge the status of English as the sole official language of the U.S.
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- Lukas Wieltschnig (Autor:in), 2021, The Second Diaspora - Focus United States, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1380356
