GENERAL AMERICAN Meaning and
Definition
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General American refers to a well-known accent and dialect of American English that is spoken by a large number of native speakers across the United States. It is typically used as the standard for television, radio, and broadcasting in the United States. General American is characterized by its lack of regional dialect features, making it comprehendible to a wide audience.
This accent emerged during the 19th and early 20th century as a result of cultural and linguistic changes in the American population. It is often associated with the Midwestern region of the United States, particularly the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio. However, it has also spread and influenced other regions.
The key features of General American include the lack of distinctive regional pronunciations, a relatively flat and neutral intonation pattern, and the absence of distinct vocabulary associated with specific geographic areas. The pronunciation of General American is known for being rhotic, meaning the "r" sound is pronounced at the end of syllables and words.
Although General American is recognized as a standard, it is important to note that there is significant variation within this accent. Different speakers may exhibit slight differences in pronunciation, intonation, and vocabulary usage. However, the goal of achieving understanding and communication across diverse American English-speaking communities remains a fundamental characteristic of General American.
Common Misspellings for GENERAL AMERICAN
- feneral american
- veneral american
- beneral american
- heneral american
- yeneral american
- teneral american
- gwneral american
- gsneral american
- gdneral american
- grneral american
- g4neral american
- g3neral american
- geberal american
- gemeral american
- gejeral american
- geheral american
- genwral american
- gensral american
- gendral american
- genrral american
Etymology of GENERAL AMERICAN
The term "General American" is derived from the combination of two separate words, each with its own etymology.
1. General: The word "general" comes from the Latin term "generalis", which means "pertaining to all" or "common to all". It entered the English language through Old French, where it meant "common, general, or widespread". Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to something that is comprehensive, widespread, or not limited to a specific group or region.
2. American: The word "American" relates to the inhabitants or things associated with the Americas. It originated from the Latin term "Americus", which is derived from the Latin version of the name of the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Vespucci was one of the early explorers of the New World, and his name became associated with the landmass discovered by Christopher Columbus.
