Say what?

[zebulen]

 Impressive map of North American English dialects.

With extensive audio samples and footnotes!  If you're interested in this sort of thing, it will keep you busy for a few hours.

Comments

[sillyliss]

This was fun to look at. I didn't have time to fully explore (ha ha), but what is the deal with the pin-pen obsession? In Jacksonville, I was marked down on a test once for saying that the "e" in pen did NOT sound like the "i" in pin. That was in third grade.

I want to know where the caramel-carmel border is.

[cathy_edgett]

In light of your third grade experience, I think you'll enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1kmfLmGRA

[sillyliss]

I'll have to check it out when I get home from work. Thanks! :)

[parrotthead]

This is amazing. And I would love to make a really intellectual comment about the link, which I am currently perusing, but your link of "human nature" now has me singing Michael Jackson OUT LOUD. So intead of making those intellectual comments I'm trying to hit those high notes instead.

[zebulen]

Are you singing that in a Lowland South accent?

[neptunia67]

Wow, that is quite impressive! I don't get the pin/pen thing either. They are entirely different words and sound different! Apparently that's only in certain parts, though. I see he specifically has "pen<>pin" on the map in Arizona.

[zebulen]

This map helped me to understand why so many of my Nebraskan relatives have differing dialects. It's a mess there. :)

[zebulen]

I never surprise you with anything. :P

[braversir]

What a phenomenal map and fascinating area of study.

I think there's a whole master's degree on this web site...

[zebulen]

I agree with you. That guy did an incredible job!