Most people who have seen American movies or traveled to the U.S. have noted that not all Americans sound alike: the sounds, words, and even grammar they use often differ across regions as well as social and other groups. But how do these ways of speaking differ—and why do they matter?
In an interactive, informal presentation, Emmet Tuohy will introduce you to the major dialects found in the U.S. today, breaking down some common stereotypes. He will then highlight some ongoing changes—visible already today, from “uptalk” and vocal fry to the Great Lakes vowel shift and the influence of smartphones—that point to the language’s even more vibrant and diverse future.
More about Emmet:
Emmet Tuohy is Second Secretary and Vice Consul (Consular Outreach Officer) at the United States Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Before joining the Foreign Service in 2019, he worked in Tallinn, Estonia for over six years, first as research fellow at the International Center for Defense and Security and then senior research fellow at the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership. After graduating from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he studied history and linguistics, Emmet was awarded a Fulbright research fellowship to Ukraine; he subsequently served as associate director of the Center for Eurasian Policy at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC. Emmet speaks Estonian and French as well as Ukrainian, Russian, and English.
The event will be in English.
Remember to bring your passport or driver's license.
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