Q
Why do we have different accents?
A
Expert Answer
Accents develop through: phonological patterns learned during childhood critical periods, isolation of speech communities, influence of substrate languages, social identity signaling, and prestige/demonstration effects. Accents change gradually over generations and can shift within a person's lifetime.
Key Insight
Accents develop through: phonological patterns learned during childhood critical periods, isolation of speech communities, influence of substrate languages, social identity signaling, and prestige/demonstration effects.
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