Standard US English Dialect?

[chris bennett]

Hello,
My girlfriend is Japanese/American and believes standard US dialect =
is that of the middle class of New York City. She believes this because =
many of her ESL learning friends have been told this and they generally =
seek NYC tutors. She reminded me that Tokyo Japanese is the standard, =
which may lend support to her NYC idea.
 
I've searched online for the answer and have had no luck. =
Personally, I was under the impression that midwestern dialects were =
generally accepted as "standard" US English dialect. My grandfather =
worked for the Voice of America and was always impressed by the foreign =
broadcasters (Russia's version of the VOA, etc.) who spoke with a =
perfect Ohio type dialect. I've also seen Deutsche Welle newscasters =
with the Ohio dialect.
 
Are you able to shed any light on the matter?
 
Thanks much,
Christian Bennignus

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org