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The Disappearing New England Accent
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While each accent is as unique as the state, city and county it comes from, you can hear common characteristics that let you know that you're talking to a New Englander.
There was a time when you'd have to travel west of Vermont's Green Mountains before those dropped Rs would disappear and give way to other American accents. But a new study finds that the New England accent is receding, both geographically and generationally.
Guests:
- James Stanford, professor in linguistics at Dartmouth College, author of the study, "Farewell To The Founders: Hello To A New New England: Dialect Changes Along the East-West New England Border"
- Kenny Baclawski, a recent graduate from Dartmouth who was involved in Prof. Stanford's research
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This segment aired on September 14, 2012.