Discrimination due to Dialect

There are many different dialects in the United States. Each dialect is unique, but having a strong dialect can cause it to be hard to find a job. For example, a job in New York is going to be harder to find if you speak in a strong southern accent like what is used in Mississippi. This is because of the large difference in enunciation of words. It makes it harder for the other person to understand and affects intelligibility. Although New York and Mississippi are both part of the United States the many miles between them causes a major difference in intonation of words. There are also geographical boundaries separating these two states. Why do you think there are many differences? Give some examples to support your findings. What types of discrimination could be caused because of having a strong dialect? Do you think that the roles could be reversed if someone from New York tries to find a job in Mississippi?

Listen to the following sound clips. Please write down the major differences between the language in New York and Mississippi.

Mississippi Dialect

New York Dialect

Now watch and listen to the following clip from the movie, “O Brother Where Art Thou?”.

Try to use the data you collected from the sound clips to find at least three examples of Mississippi dialect in the movie clip. Also, are there any differences in the song over the conversation in the beginning and ending of the clip? Then on the same sheet of paper explain what you feel about discrimination caused by the difference in dialect and what you thought of the lesson. We will collect the data and your responses after class.

The distance between states can cause a difference in intonation and enunciation of words. The farther the geographical boundaries are there is a larger probability of discrimination. This discrimination is caused largely by the intelligibility of the speakers. New York and Mississippi were chosen because of their vast distance and the geographical boundaries separating them. There are many other dialects found within the United States. The most prominent difference is found between the northern and southern states.

POSTED BY: Alison Romershausen and Vanessa Knepp