Did you know that there are over 150 different dialects in the English language spoken throughout the world? In the United States, there are about 30 major English dialects, and with it, countless ways to pronounce words for the same meaning. For this reason, and come to think of it, the English language is not really that easy to speak or understand despite being the primary language for millions of people. Here are three distinct types of English dialects in America and some popular phrases commonly used in each respective region.
Cajun Vernacular English
Cajun English is predominately spoken in, you guessed it, Louisiana. This particular English dialect is heavily influenced by the French and Spanish languages, as it once was a territory of France until it was passed over to Spain in the late 1700s with the Kingdom of Great Britain taking over most of the territory east of the Mississippi. What makes Cajun English so distinct is due to the fusion of African and European cultures, making this dialect one of the most well-known versions of the English language in the United States. If you visit Louisiana and would like to greet someone as the locals do, then you would say, “How’s ya mama an’ them?” This means “how is your mother and the family?”
New England English
As its name implies, this particular dialect of English refers to the New England or northeast area or region of the United States which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This version of English comes from a long history that began in the 1600s when English Puritans and Pilgrims arrived from England. The New England English dialect is highly recognizable through its phonology. If someone asks if you love their food, you simply reply with “ayuh,” which means “yes” in New England English.
Texas English
Speaking Mexican Spanish is as common as speaking English in this region of the United States as Texas was once part of Mexico between 1821 to 1836. For this reason, the merging of these two languages became its own special dialect that many consider to be a “Southern accent with a twist.” Texas English began to be fully embraced and utilized as the population of Tejanos/Tejanas (Hispanic Texans) became prevalent in the state. If it is time to bid farewell, one of the most popular Texas English phrase to use is, “see you mañana.” This means “see you tomorrow.”
Translation and Interpretation Services
Whether English, in whichever dialect, is your first language or not, it is certainly important to be able to convey the intended meaning accurately to avoid any misunderstandings. If you find yourself in a position that requires precision when it comes to language or linguistic skills, then utilizing remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) or conference translation services will be beneficial. Using this type of service will help prevent any miscommunication from happening, no matter where you are in the world or wherever your journey takes you.