Sunday, January 20, 2013

Americanisms


 And now here comes America! This episode analyzes several theories about American English from the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary war, all the way to the 1920’s. In this blog entry I have decided not to write endless paragraphs about our linguistic history, but rather examine certain terms and vocabulary words that are worth knowing and employing.

Buffalo Bill:” Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show” was the introduction of what would become America’s voice. The age of cowboys and Indians would be the epoch that fired the English language with the Westward movement of the American pioneers.
Yorktown: A village of southeast Virginia on the York River north of Newport News. It was the site of Cornwallis's surrender of the British forces (1781) in the American Revolution. During the Civil War Union troops occupied the town after a siege in 1862.
Tremor: (n) A shaking or vibrating movement, as of the earth.
Melancholy: (n) Sadness or depression of the spirits; gloom
Endowed: (tr, v.) To provide with property, income, or a source of income.
Lexicographer: (n) One who writes, compiles, or edits a dictionary.
Americanisms: An English word or phrase--or a feature of grammar, spelling, or pronunciation--that originated in the United States and/or is used primarily by Americans.
Advocate: (tr. v.) To speak, plead, or argue in favor of.

No comments:

Post a Comment