Understanding Dialects and Identity

Directions:

1.) First, listen to the audio at this website.There are many dialects and accents to choose from around the world. Pick a region on the right, then pick the country on the right, and finally scroll all the way down to listen to their sound samples. Next, comment on this blog what you thought of the site, and which accent you found most interesting and why.

2.) Finally, I want you to record your own accent/dialect/variety of English (only if you have a recorder at home). First sign up for a free account at PodOmatic. Then create your own accent variety podcast by slowly reading this poem. Please post the link to your podcast on this blog through the commenting. Finally, once several people start posting their podcasts, continue commenting on dialectal/accent differences or similarities your hearing between your English and your classmates' English.

Understanding Two Main Varieties

Directions:

1.)You need to make a free voice thread account
Then Listen to this classroom voice thread
*You might want to take some notes*
Make a comment on my class page using text, video, or voice!!

2.) Skip down to the Wordle Activity Posted Below and make a comment directly on the blog.

3.) Take a look at the videos under the video gadget. Again,you might want to take some notes.

4.) Browse through this website and this website. They might help you for the next activity.

4.) Sign up for a free account and create a quiz for your classmates using all the information you just learned about British and American varieties of English. You may post/attach your quiz on UBlearns under my name, or print it out to hand in later!

How is English International?

Since we are all members of a global community, it is important to understand how the English language is viewed as an International language. Every individual communicates through some type of language. Examples include: Spanish, Chinese, Sign Language,written text, cultural traditions, pictures etc. Language is everywhere and it is part of our identity!

Believe it or not: Non-native speakers of English greatly outnumber native speakers!!There are many Englishes (not a typo) spoken around the world in either dialects, varieties, or accents. Each speaker/learner bring different cultural perspectives as they continue to build the International English language. English changes everyday with every speaker! This blog will allow us to explore varieties of Englishes as well as our own.

There are two major parts to this interactive blog site. First complete the activities for Understanding English Varieties. Then complete the activities for Understanding Dialects and Identity.

Wordle Activity

After listening to the voice thread, pick a word from the wordle. Either (a) identify the word as American or British English AND give its counterpart, or (b) identify the origin of the word AND why you think it's connected with that other language.



Wordle