The Social Life of Appalachian Englishes: A Sociolinguistic Introduction [Paperback]

Appalachian Englishes (AEs) have a long history of representation in linguistic literature, but until now no single work has examined the interplay of language production and perception with an eye toward the role that language plays in the construction of personal and social identities.

The Social Life of Appalachian Englishes offers the most thorough and engaging portrait of the language and culture of one of Americas most distinctive and iconic regions. The work stems from one of the most ambitious undertakings in dialectology, the Linguistic Atlas Project, and contextualizes the ensuing linguistic analyses in the voices and stories of Appalachian residents. This volume examines not only the history that gave birth to the ways of speaking throughout the Appalachian region, it offers a compelling commentary on how those ways of speaking are viewed from within and outside the region and why this matters. Additionally, the authors persuasively explain why learning more about Appalachian English is essential for anyone interested in language and culture, and in doing so, pays the region the homage it deserves.

Jeffrey Reaser, North Carolina State University, USA

Preface

Acknowledgements

Glossary

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Chapter 1: It tickles him so good  The Social Life of Language in Appalachia

Setting in

Appalachia as a construct

Perceptions of Appalachia

The study of language

Introducing sociolinguistics

Appalachia in previous sociolinguistic studies

Contextualizing Appalachian Englishes

Recollection

Discussion Questions

Exercises

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