Discussion Board: Linguistics DUE TOMORROW AT 10PM PST

The following series of videos exemplify the diversity of language used in a variety of regions in the United States. For this activity, you will be watching these videos (at least three of them) and responding to them in a discussion board.

First, watch a selection of at least three of the following videos (or all of them):

• American Tongues "Weird Regional Words and Wonderful Regional Words": http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=13&feature=PlayList&v=qXGuCaApR7U&list=PL26748031B3633CAD
• American Tongues "How They Talk in KY, OH, and TX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=9&feature=PlayList&v=FiNsyXHBZak&list=PL26748031B3633CAD
• American Tongues "Tough Guy from Boston's North End: http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=7&feature=PlayList&v=Kmum-eT4hzM&list=PL26748031B3633CAD (profanity)
• American Tongues "Boston Brahmins": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfR4DLXYpCw&feature=related
• American Tongues "Spicy Cajun Accents": http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=10&feature=PlayList&v=Eqfdn8_ftYQ&list=PL26748031B3633CAD

Second, post to this discussion board in response to the videos you watched, bearing in mind what you've learned from the textbook as well. In your response, you may wish to consider questions like the following:

1. What language uses or aspects of regional identity did you find most surprising? Why?
2. Do you have personal experience with or come from any of these regions, and if so, how did you respond to the videos?
3. What uses of language in Southern California might seem strange and surprising to people from other parts of the country?
4. How does language and its use (intentional or unintentional) connect to regional identity?
5. Would speaking in a foreign language change your identity in any way?
6. Comment on your own regional, linguistic identity.