University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division

The Effects of Regional Terms When Identifying Words

Jessica AustinFollow

Presenter Hometown

Richmond, KY

Major

Psychology

Department

Psychology

Degree

Undergraduate

Mentor

Sara Incera

Mentor Department

Psychology

Abstract

While research on dialect comprehension has received substantial attention, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning regional words in the United States. While linguistic studies have delved into the comprehension of dialects on a global and national scale, the specific lexicon and vocabulary associated with various U.S. regions have been relatively overlooked. The goal of this project is to determine the influence of regional terms on vocabulary comprehension, specifically focusing on identifying Appalachian words. Using student participants from Eastern Kentucky University, Mouse Tracking software was employed as individuals were tasked with reading words displayed on the screen and identifying their meaning by choosing the right image. The study included terms commonly used in the Appalachian region and terms from other regions across the United States. The study findings suggest that individuals born in Kentucky identify better the “Appalachian" words, while those born in other states perform better with the "other" words. Investigating how individuals process and comprehend these region-specific terms is essential for a comprehensive understanding of how language dynamics operate in the United States.

Keywords: Appalachian, word identification, regional words, regional terms, dialect

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The Effects of Regional Terms When Identifying Words

While research on dialect comprehension has received substantial attention, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning regional words in the United States. While linguistic studies have delved into the comprehension of dialects on a global and national scale, the specific lexicon and vocabulary associated with various U.S. regions have been relatively overlooked. The goal of this project is to determine the influence of regional terms on vocabulary comprehension, specifically focusing on identifying Appalachian words. Using student participants from Eastern Kentucky University, Mouse Tracking software was employed as individuals were tasked with reading words displayed on the screen and identifying their meaning by choosing the right image. The study included terms commonly used in the Appalachian region and terms from other regions across the United States. The study findings suggest that individuals born in Kentucky identify better the “Appalachian" words, while those born in other states perform better with the "other" words. Investigating how individuals process and comprehend these region-specific terms is essential for a comprehensive understanding of how language dynamics operate in the United States.

Keywords: Appalachian, word identification, regional words, regional terms, dialect