In Pronunciation^x, Idiolect^x

Hwat for what is the original pronunciation and was the only form used in Middle English. In Modern English, many dialects lost the wine-whine distinction, and began pronouncing words spelled "wh" as simply "w", rather thn "hw". The original, conservative form is still around, and is considered...

>> A lot of inconsistency for either. More often, I say it with the I sound, but even so, I'll sometimes say ee. I think it's regional varation on this one. <<I think that it's not so much region (in NAE), but rather idiolect that determines the pronunciation of "either". Most...

#2 is not correct. "When dialects diverge to the point that they are mutually incomprehensible, they become languages in their own right" That is not always the case. For example, "Chinese" dialects are mutually unintelligible, but "Chinese" is often regarded as being a language. Swedish,...

So what's your definition of American English (or North American English, as some prefer)? I would probably define it mostly by its phonology. It would be pretty hard to define. Or why not just say, any dialect of English spoken in North America?Is there a standard for American English?Not...

Thanks again, Mr Micawber! Now by "some are pronounced both ways, depending on use" do you mean that it depends on the idiolect of each person or does it depend on the function of the word in the sentence, i.e., whether it is a participle or an adjective ? Best wishes