The Science and History of English Accents: Interview w Valerie Fridland

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.

To learn more about Valerie and buy her new book, Why We Talk Funny, click here.