American English
Let an agent explain American English and its varieties, relay features, history and regional variation from sociolinguistic sources with attribution, describe the dialects the registry aliases name, and distinguish American English from British, Canadian and other Englishes, presenting dialects respectfully rather than as errors.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain American English and its varieties, relay features, history and regional variation from sociolinguistic sources with attribution, describe the dialects the registry aliases name, and distinguish American English from British, Canadian and other Englishes, presenting dialects respectfully rather than as errors.
The set of varieties of the English language native to the United States, with a standard form used in national media and education and many regional and social dialects, including Western American English, California English, Alaskan English, Pennsylvania English with its Philadelphia and Pittsburgh varieties, New York Latino English and Miami English, alongside African American English, Southern and New England varieties; American English differs from British English in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and some grammar.
What it is for: Not applicable; a language variety.
It can be explain features; relay history and variation; describe regional dialects; distinguish related varieties.
Distinguishing features
Rhotic in most varieties
Webster spellings
Regional and ethnic dialects
Global influence
What it looks like
Not a visible object; speech and writing.
Physical character
native speakers: about 230-250 million - estimates
Webster s dictionary: 1828 year - spelling reforms
Atlas of North American English: 2006 year - Labov, Ash and Boberg
How it is recognised
English varieties of the United States
California, Alaskan, Western American, Pennsylvania, New York Latino and Miami English
British English has different spelling and pronunciation norms; Canadian English shares many features but differs; other world Englishes differ
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is contrasted with -
includes -
is documented by -
In practice
Families and kinds
General American
Western and California English
Southern American English
Northern and Inland Northern English
African American English
Latino Englishes such as New York Latino and Miami English
Alaskan and Pennsylvania varieties
Standards and regulation
No official regulator; style guides and dictionaries set conventions
Failure modes and hazards
Treating dialects as incorrect
Stereotyping regional speakers
Registry aliases mixing regional and ethnic varieties
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What American English is.
Attribution.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is American English, and how does it differ from British, Canadian and other Englishes? definition
- Is the question about features, a dialect, usage or style? boundary
Dialects
Dialects.
Dialects
Dialects.
- What are California, Alaskan, Western, Pennsylvania, New York Latino and Miami English? definition
- Which entry fits the specific dialect? action
Features Features.
Sources.
Sound
Pronunciation.
Sound
Sound.
- What are key pronunciation features and ongoing sound changes? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Spelling
Spelling and vocabulary.
Spelling
Spelling.
- How do American spelling and vocabulary differ from British usage? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Variation Variation.
Attribution.
Regional
Regional variation.
Regional
Regional.
- What does sociolinguistic research show about regional dialects, with findings attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits American English regional vocabulary? action
Social
Social and ethnic variation.
Social
Social.
- How are ethnic varieties such as African American and Latino Englishes studied, presented respectfully? provenance
- Is the presentation respectful and not stigmatising? boundary
Context History and influence.
Context.
History
History.
History
History.
- How did American English develop from colonial settlement? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of English? action
Influence
Global influence.
Influence
Influence.
- How has American English influenced other languages and Englishes? provenance
- Which entry fits World Englishes? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should the regional dialects be separate primary entries?
- How should sociolinguistic sources be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming many varieties; should they be split off?