What an Accent Can – and Can’t – Say About You
We talk about how different American accents developed, why some are dying off and the way they influence how we see each other and ourselves.
April 24, 2026
54 min
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3,309 of 3,393
April 24, 2026
What an Accent Can – and Can’t – Say About You
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America the Jesuit Review Episodes Around April 24, 2026
Episode 3,309 of 3,393 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
What an Accent Can – and Can’t – Say About You
Summary
Everyone has an accent, even people who don’t think they do. That’s according to linguist Valerie Fridland, who studies the way American accents have been shaped by centuries of culture and class. In her new book, “Why We Talk Funny”, Fridland shares how different American accents developed, why some are dying off and the way they influence how we see each other and ourselves.
Guests:
Valerie Fridland, professor of linguistics, University of Nevada, Reno
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