Kara in the News
Contrary to headlines like "Expert: New York accent on the wane" I do not think the New York accent is disappearing. But I do give many interviews where I discuss the recession of classic NYCE features (like the vowel in coffee, or the absence of /r/ in the syllable coda), as well as the always-controversial question of NYCE borough accents (tldr: there aren't any!) while also spreading a message of natural linguistic change and positive place identity. I also give interviews about other varieties of American English, about politicians' accents (thanks Sanders and Trump for raising awareness of NYCE) and about actors' use of regional accents on popular television shows. I am committed to talking to anyone who will listen about accents and language variation and change. Feel free to get in touch with me!
Does the New York Accent still exist?, The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC, October 2019
There are no Borough Accents, Morning Edition, NPR, October 2019
Fuhgeddaboutit! Sorry, but there is no Brooklyn Accent, Gothamist, October 2019
Where did the Yat accent come from? Nola, February 2019
I'm not a forensic linguist, but I played on on TV! In Season 2, Episode 4 of American Vandal, on Netflix.
My profile in Reed Magazine, The Accent Authority, November 2017
Jackie O's strange, elegant accent, explain by linguists, Vox, February 2017
Why Justin Timberlake sings "May" instead of "Me," Atlas Obscura, November 2016
Do you know the New York accent better than a New Yorker? There's a Quiz, Atlas Obscura, September 2016
Why There's No Such Thing as a Brooklyn Accent, Atlas Obscura, March 2016
Bernie Sanders: A Linguistic Analysis, Vox, February 2016
The Politics of Twisted Tongues and Loopy Lingo, The Takeaway, NPR, October 2015
What linguists say about Kevin Spacey's bizarre Southern accent on House of Cards, Vox, February 2015.
Kathy Bates' American Horror Story accent, explained by a linguist, Vox, Vox, January 2015.
Dude, where's my accent? Why the California Vowel Shift may have us all by the tongue, Portland Monthly, December 2013.
Tawkin' The Tawk: The Noo Yawk City Accent and the Race for City Hawl, City and State, August 2013.
The Disappearing New York accent, Lexicon Valley Podcast from Slate Magazine, January 2013.
These Days, the Twang Ain't no Thang, KUT radio, October 25, 2012
A Voice of New York's Streets, Saying that it's safe to walk, New York Times, July 2012
Drop your bagel, the New York accent may be disappearing, Uptown Radio, February 2012
You Talkin' to us? Researching whether New York is losing its distinctive accent, New York Post, January 2012. See also this Takeaway segment from Reed College.
A Speaking Manner rooted in Queens but all his own, New York Times, January 2011
New York Accents," The Leonard Lopate Show, WNYC, May 2010
Locals and Linguists argue that notorious Queens accent is fading away, New York Daily News, May 2010
No Maw "New Yawk, Fox News, January 2010
Please Explain: Regional Accents, The Leonard Lopate Show, WNYC, October 2009
You Talkin' to Me?!?, Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC, March 2008
New York Accent Changing with the times, Gothamist (reference to original amNY article, link no longer available), 2008