Dialect Resources
The Drama Library collects dialect tapes for actors and directors to
use during rehearsals or productions. The most
detailed dialect material
includes a discussion of the phonetic alphabet, vowel sounds, and word
stress. Many dialect tapes also include information on breathing, use
of the tongue, and positioning of the jaw. Dialect tapes provide frequent
opportunity to practice the dialect as you listen to the tape.
Dialect Books with Practice Tapes
Some of our more popular dialect materials include:
- Jerry Blunt - Stage Dialects
- Jerry Blunt - More Stage Dialects
- Evangeline Machlin - Dialects for the Stage
- David Alan Stern - Acting with an accent
- David Alan Stern - American accents for English actors
- David Alan Stern - Speaking without an accent
- David Alan Stern - The sound & style of American English: a
course in foreign accent reduction
Dialect Books without Practice Tapes
The following books provide instruction on dialects without a practice
tape:
- Lewis Herman - Manual of American dialects, for radio, stage, screen and
television
- Lewis Herman - Manual of foreign dialects for radio, stage, screen
- Robert Hobbs - Teach yourself Transatlantic: theatre speech for actors
- Edith Skinner - Dialects for the theater
Circulation of Materials
Dialect tapes in the Drama Library are on cassette tape and circulate for a
week; a cassette recorder for use in the library is provided for non-library
borrowers. Occasionally directors place dialect material on reserve during the
rehearsal process.
Plays with Dialect
Have a particular dialect in mind, and looking for a play that features that
dialect? A good source is Play Index located in Drama Reference Z5781.P53 - under "dialect" or online.
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Last modified: Monday August 18, 2008 (weaver)
