Investigating Appalachian Englishes: Subregional Variation in the New Appalachia

Abstract With changes in Appalachia over the past two generations involving decreased poverty and more development, continued study of the changing culture of Appalachia is needed specifically with regard to language use in the region. Recent research indicates that traditional Appalachian English (AppE) features are influx, with some dying out, others remaining stable, and others increasing among the younger generations. Yet these changes seem to be operating differently depending on where one is within Appalachia. In light of this variability, this article will focus on the results of a large-scale survey of self-reported AppE usage, investigating the extent of subregional dialect variation present in Appalachia. Rather than finding a single homogeneous AppE being used in the same way throughout the region, this study finds instead a clear subregional distinction with speakers in Northern Appalachia much less willing to admit using traditional features of AppE than speakers in Southern Appalachia, even though for most features, both subregions appeared to be hearing these features the same.