General American

Definition

General American refers to an accent of American English that is often perceived as the standard or neutral accent used in the media and by many educated speakers across the United States. It is characterized by its non-regional qualities, lacking distinct regional markers that identify a speaker's geographical origin. This accent is important in understanding dialects and accents within American English, as it serves as a reference point for other regional varieties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. General American is often used in broadcasting and media to reach a broad audience without regional bias.
2. It lacks the strong regional features found in other American dialects, making it sound more neutral and standardized.
3. Some phonetic characteristics of General American include the use of rhoticity, where the 'r' sound is pronounced at the end of words.
4. This accent is sometimes considered more prestigious in professional settings, influencing perceptions of intelligence and authority.
5. While it is not tied to any specific geographic location, General American is most commonly associated with the Midwest and Western United States.

Review Questions

• How does General American serve as a baseline for understanding other dialects and accents in the United States?
  • General American acts as a baseline because it represents an accent that lacks strong regional features, allowing linguists and learners to identify and differentiate other accents and dialects based on how they deviate from this norm. By studying General American, one can observe specific phonetic or lexical variations present in various regional dialects, which helps in categorizing these differences effectively.
• Discuss the role of General American in media and broadcasting, and how it influences public perception of speakers.
  • General American plays a crucial role in media and broadcasting as it is typically chosen for its neutrality and clarity, making it more accessible to diverse audiences. This choice can influence public perception significantly; speakers with this accent are often viewed as more credible, trustworthy, or authoritative compared to those with strong regional accents. This bias can impact employment opportunities and social interactions in various professional fields.
• Evaluate the implications of promoting General American as a standard in education and communication, particularly regarding linguistic diversity.
  • Promoting General American as a standard can have both positive and negative implications for linguistic diversity. On one hand, it may facilitate clearer communication across different regions, fostering mutual understanding. On the other hand, this emphasis can marginalize speakers of other dialects and reinforce social hierarchies that devalue linguistic diversity. It raises questions about cultural identity and the importance of preserving unique regional dialects within a broader societal context.

Related terms

Accent: A distinctive mode of pronunciation characteristic of a particular individual, location, or nation.

Dialect: A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

Received Pronunciation:

An accent of English traditionally regarded as the standard form in British English, often associated with educated speakers in the UK.