Major
Linguistics
Faculty Advisor
Olsen, Michael L
Abstract
This study investigates how Appalachian English is perceived in online discourse, focusing on the intersections of dialect, identity, and ideology. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s 2024 devastation across Southern Appalachia, YouTube became a site of unexpected metalinguistic and cultural commentary. A citizen sociolinguistics framework is used to examine how outsiders engage with perceived Appalachian English, especially through discussions of class, gender, and accents.
Findings show that Appalachian identity is more favorably received when speakers minimize regional dialect features and align with urban, mainstream ideals. In contrast, speakers who are strongly marked as Appalachian, especially the rural and working class, face heightened scrutiny and stigmatization. The Appalachian dialects were praised by right-leaning commenters for their association with toughness and patriotism, yet simultaneously derided by left-leaning voices for their perceived links to ignorance or extremism.
These patterns suggest that Appalachian English has shifted from being seen solely as a regional dialect to functioning as a symbolic marker of broader cultural and political ideologies. Gendered language expectations further shaped perceptions: men with an Appalachian dialect were idealized for their stoicism, while women were criticized for their emotional expression, reinforcing perceived gender stereotypes of the region.
Language ideologies are being shaped by digital platforms, highlighting the role dialect plays in defining public identity. Using Appalachian English as a case study, insights are revealed about how regional speech becomes a battleground for cultural meaning in contemporary American discourse, and that more research is necessary, especially in the context of gender and identity in Appalachia.