A Study of Arkansas Dialects

FAIN: FB-11277-72

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Knoxville, TN 37916-3801)
Bethany Kay Dumas (Project Director: September 1972 to present)

To study the regional and social dialects of Arkansas by conducting a linguistic survey using the informant method. Study will have as its primary aim the identification of dialectal differences in phonology, grammar and lexicon in sufficient number to establish dialect boundaries with the state. Secondary aim will be the indentification of dialectal differences which have the most important pedagogical implications. There will be emphasis on "black dialect." Study should provide insight into ways of closing the poverty, generation, and culture "gaps" that are so much a national concern.