"The most pivotal turning point of what would become known as the General American accent was the willingness of the Quakers to share the New World with others from the outset."
"Unlike the Puritans, who were pretty picky about who settled amongst them, and the Virginians, who were pretty picky about who deserved grants of land, the Quakers were welcoming to all - and come all they did."
"These immigrants, who first settled the backcountry of Pennsylvania before pushing farther to the western and southern frontier, brought with them a cultural and linguistic separateness that had an immense impact on the speech of the American heartland."
The General American accent emerged significantly due to the Quakers' welcoming nature towards diverse settlers in the Delaware Valley. This inclusivity allowed for a blending of linguistic features from various immigrant groups, particularly the Ulster Scots and Palatine Germans. These groups introduced distinct speech patterns, such as the Scots Irish use of 'hit' for 'it' and a strong emphasis on 'r' sounds. Their influence contributed to the unique phonetic characteristics of the American heartland, showcasing the impact of cultural diversity on language development.
Read at Big Think
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