Amna Nawaz
@PBSNewsHour·5.3M subscribers·62.2K videos
Why does American English matter?
Posted
August 6, 2026
Views
9,353
Likes
432
Engagement
4.62%
August 6, 2026
9,353
432
4.62%
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40:09Now PlayingHow did American English become different from the English spoken in Britain? Why do Americans have so many different accents and dialects? In this episode of “In Pursuit of Happiness”, Judy Woodruff explores the fascinating history of American English with linguists Anne Curzan and Valerie Fridland. As the United States marks 250 years since its founding, they look at how Americans have reshaped the English language by changing pronunciations, creating new words, and evolving dialects. From Native American influences and immigrant communities to African American speech traditions, Judy and her guests discuss how the way we speak reflects America’s history, diversity, and identity and why language continues to change with every generation.
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