American Dialects: A Manual for Actors, Directors, and Writers

by Marguerite Shalett Herman and Lewis Herman

Book Overview

This standard text, now in paperback for the first time-- the companion volume to Foreign Dialects-- American Dialects offers representative dialects of every major section of the United States. In each case, a general description and history of the dialect is given, followed by an analysis of vowel and consonant peculiarities, of its individual lilt...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087830049X
• ISBN13: 9780878300495
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

a book of many voices

As a novelist struggling to learn how to give each character his own voice, this book was a gift from God. Perhaps the most important lesson it taught me was to trust my inner ear. It explained beautifully that dialects, even ones that sound ungrammatical, have their own rules of grammar. It helped me to isolate the particular dialect I was striving to recreate on the page and gave me the courage to use it without apology or explanation. A wonderful source for writers.

A wonderful, accurate book

This book is a remarkably accurate and knowledgeable way to learn the many American dialects. It is very clear and concise, and would be a great help with the theatre. I spent a lot of time perfecting my New York City accent,and even though a don't do alot of acting it was fun to fool people, & with the help of this book, it worked. An amazing compilation that is clear and focused, it offers an invaluable lesson for anyone that has the time to sit and study it. Wonderful.

What a great tool for actors!

An essential tool for any actor who wants to be able to master the regional American accents. Using the international phonetic, this book will guide you through various areas of the USA and allow you to nail down the subtleties of their accent. With this book you'll fool the natives.