Talk American

The 'Talk American' episode of 'Code Switch' delves into the complexities and implications of having a regional accent in the United States, particularly within the context of broadcast journalism. The narrative is anchored by the story of Dion Broxton, an aspiring broadcast reporter from Baltimore, Maryland, who dreams of telling stories about his city. His journey becomes emblematic of the struggles faced by those whose accents do not conform to the so-called 'Standard American English.' Broxton's desire to become a reporter intensified after the death of Freddie Gray in 2015, which put Baltimore in the national spotlight. However, his path to achieving his dream is obstructed by news directors who advise him to 'fix' his accent, equating his Baltimorean speech patterns with a lack of professionalism.

The episode explores the origins of the 'Standard American Accent,' tracing it back to the linguist John Kenyon who, in the 1920s, chose the speech patterns of his own region in northeastern Ohio as the model for 'proper' American pronunciation. This choice was adopted by major news sources and became the standard for broadcast English. The podcast discusses how this Midwestern accent became synonymous with neutrality and professionalism, while other regional accents were associated with negative stereotypes. The episode also touches on the broader societal implications of accent perception, revealing how accents can influence judgments about intelligence, trustworthiness, and social status.

The story of Broxton's efforts to modify his accent is a personal one, involving speech pathologist sessions and the emotional toll of repeated rejections. It highlights the code-switching that many individuals, particularly people of color, engage in to navigate different social and professional environments. The narrative is interspersed with insights from experts, such as sociolinguists and language researchers, who discuss the impact of linguistic stereotyping and the importance of both speakers and listeners being aware of and challenging their own biases.