Name: Alex Spurrier's review of Speaking American by Josh Katz
Item: Speaking American
Rating: 4
Author: Alex Spurrier

Josh Katz

Did you know that your answers to just a handful of questions can predict the zip code of where you grew up? In 2013 Josh Katz accumulated and visually mapped over 350,000 unique survey responses to questions about word choice and pronunciation throughout America. His dialect quiz quickly became the most viewed webpage in the history of the New York Times. InSpeaking AmericanKatz offers a visual atlas of the American vernacular who says what, and where they say it revealing the history of our nation, our regions, and our language."

Sneakers, Hoagies, and Soda Pop--An Infographic Atlas of How America Talks

Speaking American

Alex Spurrier

Did you know that your answers to just a handful of questions can predict the zip code of where you grew up? Speaking American offers a visual atlas of the American vernacular--who says what, and where they say it--revealing the history of our nation, our regions, and the language that divides and unites us.

How Y'all, Youse, and You Guys Talk: a Visual Guide

Katherine Yang

Fun and quick look into the wide variation in language use across the United States, with beautiful and intriguing data illustrations (apparently done by the author too).

Missy Zuber 

Fascinating to see how one country can have so many different words, phrases and sayings for the same thing. The maps even show how some words and their usages have become more common or rare over the years.

As a native of southern New Jersey I enjoyed seeing how some words and phrases are just spoken within the area and extending into Philadelphia, but not much further. 

An extra bonus is that the author is from the area as well.

Alex Spurrier &
Speaking American by Josh Katz

Reviews

Join the club

Alex Spurrier &Speaking American by Josh Katz

Reviews

Join the club

Alex Spurrier &
Speaking American by Josh Katz