Talking Appalachian combines scholarly research and creative voices on the varieties of Appalachian English dialects. Against still prevalent linguistic prejudices and the marginalization of Appalachian Englishes (AE), the contributors to this volume discuss the uses of these dialects in various localized contexts. The editors set the scene by foregrounding the postmodern qualitative approach that unites the diverse contributions in this collection. Part 1 comprises sociolinguistic research on the history and diversity of AE, its relation to education and power, and the representation of Appalachian speech in literature. Part 2 assembles pieces by recognized Appalachian writers who approach the complexities introduced in Part 1 from a literary perspective. This interpretative part is foreshadowed in the preface where the editors narrate their personal histories of Appalachia to underline their motivation for this book.
Part 1 is opened by Michael Montgomery, who traces the history of Appalachian dialects alongside various patterns of settlement. In this essay he debunks the twin myths of AE as being preserved Elizabethan English and as being a single, homogeneous dialect. The following three chapters focus on frequencies in uses of AE variables in different areas and contexts. Kirk Hazen, Jaime Flesher, and Erin Simmons investigate the development of AE in West Virginia based on ten variables that carry different degrees of stigma. To further contextualise AE variation, Nancy M. Hayward utilizes the concept of communities of practice. Finally, Walt Wolfram focuses on African-American speakers of AE. He observes that the usage levels of linguistic features that can be aligned with the local Appalachian culture or the wider African American culture depend on local contexts and purposes.
Chapters 5, 6, and 7 consider the context of educational institutions. Jeffrey Reaser examines influences of AE dialects on speaking, listening, reading, and writing in school. He introduces the pedagogic approach of contrastive analysis and code-switching. Amy D. Clark demonstrates how this approach can be applied. Exploring the perspective of AE-speaking college students, Katherine Sohn describes the academic writing trajectories of eight women who develop their identity within the academic community through their creative writing.
Sohn's account of voice and empowerment is followed by Anita Puckett's essay on how contrasting linguistic structures in Standard American English and AE, and their evaluation by AE speakers contribute to constructions of power imbalances. Linking to the literary contributions of Part 2, Michael Ellis discusses literary depictions of AE since the nineteenth century. Part 2 develops the themes of identity and power in creative ways. It includes personal reflections, with excerpts from novels and poems by Appalachian writers George Ella Lyon, Silas House, Lee Smith, Jane Hicks, Denise Giardina, Ron Rash, Rita Quillen, Crystal Wilkinson, and Anne Shelby.
The volume provides a concise introduction to the current study of AE while challenging both stigmatization and romanticization of these dialects. At the same time, it pays tribute to the rich storytelling tradition of the Appalachian region.
