~ (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Amy West]

I'd like to thank Alice Faber and Paul Johnston for clearing up my
understanding of standard American pronunciation (dictionary prons,
broadcasting pron. guides) with their excellent explanations. I now
understand it to *not* be a particular regional pronunciation, but
rather a collection of the most common features among the various
regional standard dialects.

Just to clarify, I think you're both saying that yes, this standard
American pronunciation is a construct, an artifice -- which was
already how I understood it -- but I was incorrect in thinking that
it was a regional dialect elevated to the standard. Also, I think
you're both saying that this standard American pronunciation is an
ideal found in those dictionary prons. and broadcasting guides that
is never actually fully realized.

---Amy West

(PS Thanks for taking the time to discuss this with me and further
clear up my understanding)

>Well, the thing is that a lot of Americans--at least those who think
>about these things at all--*believe* that there's a midwestern,
>broadcasting standard accent. However, if you actually listen to
>broadcasters given a national platform by the networks, there's very
>little commonality to their speech, except insofar as they speak a
>relatively educated variety of North American English.

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