Literature typically mirrors natural society. Therefore,
when examining a text one must look at the language the author uses as
well.
In any part of a country, dialect changes. In the
United States, dialects can change from region to region (northern to southern) or from
city to city (New York/New Jersey). Therefore, one can be identified by the dialect with
which they speak.
Unfortunately, stereotypes often adhere
to different dialects. Stereotypically, people who speak with a Southern drawl are
normally depicted as illiterate given the way that they speak. People who do not come
from the South then typically identify all who speak with a Southern accent as
illiterate.
Authors tend to embed the dialect of the area
the text takes place in into the work. By doing this, the author can either uphold the
stereotype, depict the work as environmentally correct, alienate readers, or bring
readers in.
Regardless, language has its own identity- much
like mankind. Unfortunately, people live by their gut and maintain the stereotypes they
have grown up with and, sometimes, this creates a linking with a group solely based upon
language.
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