Do You Speak American?

Overview

Why is the English spoken by Maine lobstermen so different from thatscene from the broadcast spoken by cowboys in Texas? Does Spanish pose a threat to English as the dominant language in America? And what on earth do yins, wickety wack, ayuh, catty whompus, and stomping it clean mean? Robert MacNeil travels cross-country to answer these questions and examine the dynamic state of American English – a language rich with regional variety, strong global impact and cultural controversy.

Series details

First air date

2005

Last air date

2005

Status

Ended

Seasons

1

Episodes

3

Genres

Documentary

Original language

EN

Origin country

US

Networks

PBS

Production

MacNeil-Lehrer Productions, THIRTEEN

Cast

Robert MacNeil

Robert MacNeil