Comments on American Language

In some parts of the world, referring to the English spoken in America as American English can be considered an insult. In Britain especially, American accents are considered lazy and without sophistication. Oddly enough, these accents are emulated by people from all over the world. However, as America is a cultural melting pot, the American language has become one of borrowing. Similar to English in that it takes from any language in comes in contact with the American language contains words from every conceivable continent and is amassing new words by the day. When it comes to an American language it is clear that we do not have one.

Where a person grows up normally will determine how they speak. Normally a person born in Madrid, Spain will speak like a Spaniard. However, in this country we speak in whatever manner we feel. Some of us have Southern accents, others northern accents. Some of us change accents because we want to. Others speak no English at all. America is one of the dominant countries at present and as a result has constant influx of people and ever changing times. There is no one American Language. There are people all over the country who are fluent in multiple languages and use them in their daily lives. The concept of one American Language is deceptive as English is not one language in and of itself. It is important to realize that what makes us American is not the language that we speak, but who we are.