"English in America: A Linguistic History" Dr. Natalie Schilling (12 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 2x DVD - The Great Courses)
In this 12-lecture series, Professor Natalie Schilling provides a sophisticated sociolinguistic examination of how the English language evolved from its colonial roots into the diverse collection of American dialects spoken today. Rather than viewing American English as a monolithic entity, Schilling frames it as a dynamic, living organism shaped by successive waves of migration, regional isolation, and cultural exchange. The curriculum explores the "Great Vowel Shift" and the influence of non-English languages - including Indigenous, African, and European tongues - to illustrate how social identity and geographic boundaries have historically dictated the way Americans sound.
 
The second half of the survey shifts toward a more contemporary analysis, investigating how modern factors like social class, gender, and digital communication continue to drive linguistic innovation. Schilling challenges common misconceptions about "correct" speech, instead emphasizing that dialects - from African American Vernacular English to Appalachian and Chicano English - follow rigorous internal rules and serve as vital markers of community belonging. By the conclusion of the course, the listener gains a nuanced appreciation for the "linguistic melting pot," understanding that the American experiment is as much a story of evolving vocabulary and syntax as it is a story of political and social change.