We’re excited to share a recent feature highlighting our own Dr. Jon Forrest, Associate Professor of Linguistics! In a new interview with 11Alive, Dr. Forrest discusses what current research is showing about a topic that many people feel strongly about: the possible disappearance of the Southern drawl. Dr. Forrest explains that language change happens gradually, but some of the most recognizable features of Southern accents are becoming less common, especially among younger speakers. Much of the research focuses on vowel pronunciation, including sounds that many listeners strongly associate with Southern speech. He also points to long-term migration into Southern cities as a major influence, since accents often shift when large groups of people with different speech patterns live and interact together. Rather than framing these changes as simply a loss, Dr. Forrest emphasizes that accents are tied to identity and culture, and they continue to evolve over time. He also notes that some Southern language features remain strong, including the growing use of “y’all” both in and beyond the South. Watch the full 11Alive interview with Dr. Jon Forrest here:
