Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents with Valerie Fridland

Wednesday, September 9, 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time

What is the enduring power of people, families, and communities that sound different? Linguist Valerie Fridland will unlock many secrets in this fun and surprising event focused on her new book, and the past, present and future of accents.

Why We Talk Funny dives deep into the history and social forces driving the way people talk, why accents develop, and how they shape our professional and social lives. Whether your accent hints at your hometown, your group, your social status or your ethnicity, the sounds we say reveal a lot about who we are and where we and our family has been. The story of language is the story of humanity. Whether from the mouths of ancient ancestors or the tongues of screen-bound teens, our own unique sounds come from the same powerful desire to communicate and belong. With linguist Valerie Fridland as our guide, this evening and its featured book, Why We Talk Funny, will change the way you think about your and your family’s accent—and transform the way you listen to others.

Valerie Fridland is a professor of linguistics in the English Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She writes a popular language blog on Psychology Today called “Language in the Wild,” and is also a professor for The Great Courses series.

Presented in partnership with the Boston Public Library and Museum of African American History

Our special thanks to American Inspiration Series sponsors Susan K. and John D. Thompson