Do You Speak American?
Series Overview
Why is the English spoken by Maine lobstermen so different from thatscene from the broadcast spoken by cowboys in Texas? Does Spanish pose a threat to English as the dominant language in America? And what on earth do yins, wickety wack, ayuh, catty whompus, and stomping it clean mean? Robert MacNeil travels cross-country to answer these questions and examine the dynamic state of American English – a language rich with regional variety, strong global impact and cultural controversy.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 3 Episodes
2005 – 2005
Premiered: Wed, Jan 5, 2005
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 3: “Episode 3”
Now on the left coast, the series spotlights Spanglish – a hybrid of Spanish and English – with a segment on Patricia López, a video jockey on the local Latino television program Mex to the Max. It also explores Chicano – the thriving, distinct street talk of the Los Angeles Latino community – taking a trip to an inner-city park packed with urban teens accompanied by linguist Carmen Fought. MacNeil visits classrooms in which young students learn to translate Ebonics and the informal versions of English spoken at home into the classroom English they will need to succeed in the workforce. MacNeil gets a lesson himself in surfer-, skateboarder- and skater-speak. He meets up with screenwriters Amy Heckerling and Winnie Holtzman for a discussion about the impact of Hollywood on our language; comedian Steve Harvey, who says he sounds silly speaking anything other than “African-American,” but well understands the need for African-American children to be “bilingual”; and Cliff Nass, a Stanford University professor who poses thoughtful questions about the potential societal impact of voice-activated computers.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →Creative Leadership & Key Crew
William Cran
Robert MacNeil, William Cran
Paul Foss
William Cran
Department Leadership Roster
William Cran
Director
Robert MacNeil
Writer
William Cran
Writer
William Cran
Producer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Do You Speak American?.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Do You Speak American?
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What is Do You Speak American? about?
Why is the English spoken by Maine lobstermen so different from thatscene from the broadcast spoken by cowboys in Texas? Does Spanish pose a threat to English as the dominant language in America? And what on earth do yins, wickety wack, ayuh, catty whompus, and stomping it clean mean? Robert MacNeil travels cross-country to answer these questions and examine the dynamic state of American English – a language rich with regional variety, strong global impact and cultural controversy.
How many seasons does Do You Speak American? have?
Do You Speak American? comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in Do You Speak American??
Key cast members in Do You Speak American? include Robert MacNeil.
Who created or directed Do You Speak American??
Do You Speak American? was developed and directed by William Cran.