Dialects in film

[Beth Simon]

Mississippi Masala
yay!  * this would be good for a number of language reasons, but for your purpose here, portrayal of the white characters, all (or almost all) of whom are bit parts

beth

beth lee simon, ph.d.
associate professor, linguistics and english
indiana university purdue university
fort wayne, in 46805-1499
u.s.
voice (011) 260 481 6761; fax (011) 260 481 6985
email simon at ipfw.edu


>>> kurtpatt4 at NETSCAPE.NET 2/18/2005 9:22:07 PM >>>
Hi everyone.  We've discussed films in which language features
prominently (esp. sci fi), but what I'm trying to compile is a list of
films in which the characters speak in dialects.  (for example,
"Fargo")  for my dialects class.  I'd like names of both films that
represent regional or ethnic dialects accurately and those that don't,
since we're going to talk about dialects in the media at some point.  I
can think of a few, but I'll bet some of you can think of more.  And I'm
thinking more of movies (fictional) rather than films like "American
Tongues."

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated by me and by my
students, who are enjoying the course a lot!

Thanks!

Patti Kurtz
Minot State University
--

Freeman - And what drives you on, fighting the monster?



Straker - I don't know, something inside me I guess.



Freeman - It's called dedication.



Straker - Pig-headedness would be nearer.