Vail Symposium explores why we talk funny

Why do some people say “y’all” while others say “you guys?” Why do we drop our “g”s, stretch our vowels or pick up new accents when we move? And what do those quirks say about who we are? On Tuesday at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, Vail Symposium welcomes linguist and author Dr. Valerie Fridland for “Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents,” along with humorist Gabe Henry, for an engaging evening that unpacks the science and the social meaning behind the way we speak.

In this program, Fridland draws from decades of research in sociolinguistics to explain how accents, slang and so‑called “bad English” actually follow predictable patterns and communicate powerful information about identity, region, class and community. Rather than treating certain speech habits as mistakes, she shows how our “funny” ways of talking emerge from history, culture and the constant evolution of language.

“Most of us never think about why we say things the way we do—we just talk,” Fridland said. “But once you start to see the hidden rules and stories behind our accents, you realize language is one of the most fascinating reflections of who we are, where we come from and how we relate to each other.”

Fridland is a professor of linguistics whose work focuses on variation in American English, gender and language change. Her recent popular book, often promoted under the theme “Why We Talk Funny,” translates complex linguistic research into accessible, entertaining stories about grammar debates, regional dialects and the myths that surround “proper” speech.

“Language is something we all share, but we rarely get to step back and examine it,” said Vail Symposium executive director James Kenly. “This program invites our community to listen a little differently — to accents, to word choices, even to our own internal grammar police — and to come away with a deeper appreciation for how language connects us.”

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The evening will include Fridland’s presentation followed by an audience Q and A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask about everything from regional dialects and vocal quirks to how social media and pop culture are influencing the way the next generation talks.