Early Influences:
* Regional dialects: Early English settlers came from various regions of England, each with its own dialect. These differences persisted and evolved in the New World.
* Contact with other languages: Interaction with Native American languages, Dutch, French, Spanish, and African languages influenced pronunciation and vocabulary.
* Isolation: The geographic separation of America from England allowed for its own linguistic development, free from direct influence.
Key Developments:
* The "r-dropping" phenomenon: In many American dialects, the "r" sound at the end of words or before consonants is dropped (e.g., "car" becomes "cah"). This started in the South and spread throughout much of the US.
* Shifting vowel sounds: Vowels in American English underwent changes, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. For example, the vowel in "cot" became different from the vowel in "caught," leading to what's known as the "cot-caught merger."
* New vocabulary: American English developed its own words and phrases, influenced by the environment, culture, and experiences of early settlers.
Modern Influences:
* Media and popular culture: Movies, television, and music have played a significant role in shaping American accents, particularly the "General American" accent, often associated with broadcasters and actors.
* Immigration and social mobility: Waves of immigrants from diverse linguistic backgrounds have contributed to the evolution of American accents.
* Regional variations: Despite the influence of mass media, distinct regional accents persist, such as the Southern accent, the New York accent, and the Boston accent.
It's important to note that "American English" is a dynamic language, continuously evolving with societal changes, technological advancements, and cultural influences.
Therefore, there is no single, definitive answer to how English-speaking people acquired an American accent. It's a complex process involving historical, linguistic, and cultural factors that continue to shape the diverse sounds of American English.