Within seconds of hearing someone speak, we make judgments about that person and their background, just based on their accent. Linguistics professor (George Mason University) explains how and when we develop accents and how these accents affect our identity.
Also: Written in early English, Geoffrey Chaucer's fourteenth century writings may seem impenetrable, with strange pronunciation and incomprehensible phrases. English professor (Virginia Military Institute) says the best way to approach Chaucer is to read it out loud and hear the musicality of the words.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
Within seconds of hearing someone speak, we make judgments about that person and their background, just based on their accent. Linguistics professor (George Mason University) explains how and when we develop accents and how these accents affect our identity. Also: Written in early English, Geoffrey Chaucer's fourteenth century writings may seem impenetrable, with strange pronunciation and incomprehensible phrases. English professor (Virginia Military Institute) says the best way to approach Chaucer is to read it out loud and hear the musicality of the words.
Broadcast History
Broadcast on 10 NPR stations in Virginia and Washington, DC the week of June 7-14, 2008
Timing and Cues
IN CUE: Music bed
OUTCUE: . . . I'm Sarah McConnell. Thanks for listening.
FOLLOWED BY 00:29 sec music bed
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