Words for Granted – An etymology and linguistics podcast
Words for Granted is a podcast that looks at how words change over time. Each episode looks at the evolution of a single word. Host Ray Belli uses language—more specifically, individual words—to examine history, culture, society, religion, and more.
Words for Granted is a podcast that looks at how words change over time. Host Ray Belli uses linguistic evolution as a way of understanding larger historical and cultural changes.
In this episode, Ray talks with linguist Valerie Friedland about accents—what they are, where they come from, and why everyone has one. They explore how accents begin in early childhood, how regional speech patterns change over time, and why certain pronunciations carry such strong social meaning. From accent bias to the myth of “accentless” speech, the conversation reveals how deeply language shapes identity and perception.
Use this link to buy Valerie’s new book, Why We Talk Funny: https://www.valeriefridland.com/
Hosts
Ray Belli
