element.of.culture. mothergoose.

“Dia.lect (dī'ə-lěkt')… a form or variety of a spoken language, including the standard form, peculiar to a region, community, social group[etc.]...” (Agnes, 397)


We all have our dialects. Within them, we choose our words depending on who we are speaking to and how we feel at the moment. Think of our different greetings.

· “Howdy” (archaic)
· “yo wazzup” (used by those “feelin’ gangsta up in here”)
· “Hello” (our default)
· “egh” (when it’s too early for any other comment)
· “Hey [insert name here]!” (when we’re feeling friendly and excited)


And then along with our choice of words, slang or formal, our tone of voice says the most. There’s the pitch at which the word is said, the amount of effort put into the enunciation of the word, the accent placed on different syllables, the breathiness of the voice or the gravelly tone of the voice, the volume at which the word is spoken, and most importantly, how the person you’re speaking to receives the words said. We all have our own personal voices, with their own personal traits. Independently, we all sound more unique and individual than we realize. How we speak tells a lot about who we are.

Regional accents such as “joisey” or “can-eh?-dian” can show people one’s life journeys, literally. There are also social dialects as in “valley-girl” or “ghetto-fabulous.” These differences tend to show who we hang out with, grew up with, or aspire to be. Both of these types of dialects can also just be an expression of playful references or impersonations.
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The way in which we speak is important to me because, when really analyzed, it can share lots of information about people in particular and on a large scale. Dialects can show a person’s background, a person’s sincerity, and a person’s social grouping. Dialects can also be a means of having fun or lightening the mood. When someone breaks out a few lines speaking like an Italiano mafia member, the whole room can’t help but laugh, especially when in reference to “The Sopranos.” I, personally, love to know as much about people as possible, and have as much enjoyment as possible. So, studying people’s dialect habits and quirks is one of my favorite elements of culture to analyze.


I also love expressing how I feel using my different tones and dialects. I know that if one was with me enough, they would know exactly when I felt sarcastic, sincere, sleepy, energized, or regal based on how the words I spoke flew out of my mouth. For me, this element of culture is cathartic, yet on a more subconscious level. For instance, when I am tired I don’t try to speak in a deeper, rougher voice, it simply comes naturally. But, speaking this way is just another method of letting the world, or at least those within listening range, know exactly how mothergoose feels.

~Mothergoose