Colonial Accents: What Did Americans Really Sound Like?

The sound of Colonial America, particularly the American accent of the 1700s, remains a subject of historical inquiry. Dialect coach Catherine Charlton worked on the 2008 miniseries 'John Adams,' striving for authenticity in recreating the spoken language of the era. It is understood that the English spoken by early settlers gradually evolved from their native British dialects.

While a definitive understanding is elusive, Charlton noted that historical accounts suggested Colonial Americans spoke with clarity. The limited mobility of the time meant accents changed much slower than they do in modern times. Research for 'John Adams' indicated a greater similarity to British speech patterns than often depicted in earlier historical dramas.

Charlton's research involved examining regional differences, influenced by the origins of settlers from various parts of Britain. For instance, the dialect in areas like Virginia might reflect the speech of West Country England, while Boston might show influences from non-rhotic British dialects. This led to distinct regional vocalizations, differentiating Northern and Southern territories.

Efforts were made to capture unique Americanisms, such as specific syllable pronunciations, distinguishing them from contemporary British speech. This approach allowed actors to embody the developing linguistic landscape of Colonial America, considering factors like education and immigrant backgrounds that shaped individual accents.