English in America: A Linguistic History Season 1 Episode 2 The Foundations of American English

English in America: A Linguistic History is a documentary series that explores the evolution of the English language in America. In season 1 episode 2, titled "The Foundations of American English," viewers delve deeper into the origins of the English language in North America.

The episode begins with a brief introduction highlighting the importance of understanding the foundations of American English. From there, the narrative shifts to the origins of the English language itself, tracing its lineage through the Germanic and Romance languages. The show emphasizes the influence Latin and French had on English, as they introduced many new words and grammar rules to the language.

The documentary then jumps across the Atlantic to explore the English spoken in the British colonies. The show explains that the English spoken in America was not only influenced by the English spoken in England but also by the various languages spoken by the indigenous population. Additionally, during the colonization period, many immigrants from different European countries arrived in the colonies, introducing new dialects and accents to the English language.

The next major influence on American English highlighted in the episode is the slavery period, where the captive Africans brought their own languages and dialects to the colonies. The documentary explains how the African diaspora led to a diverse set of dialects and even creole languages emerging in the American South.

Viewers are then introduced to Noah Webster, a man who played a vital role in establishing American English as distinct from British English. The show explains how Webster's dictionary helped standardize the spelling of words and solidify the American pronunciation of words.

The episode goes on to discuss various linguistic differences between British and American English. For example, the show explains that the American accent is more rhotic than the British accent, meaning that Americans pronounce the "r" sound in words like "hard" and "party." It also discusses different vocabulary choices, such as Americans using the word "truck" instead of "lorry" and "apartment" instead of "flat."

Another topic covered in the episode is the way technology has influenced American English. The show highlights the rise of new words and phrases influenced by advancements in technology, including "selfie," "emoji," and "Google it." The episode concludes by stating that American English continues to evolve even in contemporary times, and is shaped by factors such as immigration, cultural exchange, and technology.

Overall, "The Foundations of American English" is an informative and engaging episode that provides a deep dive into the development of American English. Through a mix of history, linguistics, and cultural insights, viewers gain a larger understanding of how language evolves and influences the society around it.