Question
Which excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God is the best example of regional dialect?
“Shucks! If dat’s her notion she’s barkin’ up de wrong tree. Mah hands is full already.”"
“You got any smaller than him?” He indicated the son who seemed around twenty or so.
For instance during the summer when she heard the subtle but compelling rhythms of the Bahaman drummers,
she’d walk over and watch the dances.
But Mrs. Turner’s shape and features were entirely approved by Mrs. Turner.
“Shucks! If dat’s her notion she’s barkin’ up de wrong tree. Mah hands is full already.”"
“You got any smaller than him?” He indicated the son who seemed around twenty or so.
For instance during the summer when she heard the subtle but compelling rhythms of the Bahaman drummers,
she’d walk over and watch the dances.
But Mrs. Turner’s shape and features were entirely approved by Mrs. Turner.
Ask by Olson Cruz. in the United States
Mar 27,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The excerpt “Shucks! If dat’s her notion she’s barkin’ up de wrong tree. Mah hands is full already.” best shows regional dialect.
Solution
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We start by examining the given excerpts and identifying features of regional dialect. Regional dialect is characterized by nonstandard grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and idioms that identify with a particular geographic area or community.
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The excerptdisplays several features of a regional dialect, such as:
- The use of “dat” instead of “that”.
- The dropping of final consonants as in “barkin’” instead of “barking”.
- Nonstandard grammar with phrases like “Mah hands is full already” instead of “My hands are full already”.
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The other excerpts either use standard language or do not showcase the same degree of regional linguistic markers. For example:
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is written in standard English. - The excerpt about the Bahaman drummers uses descriptive language but does not incorporate distinctive dialectical traits.
- The excerpt about Mrs. Turner uses names and descriptions without distinct dialectal markers.
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Therefore, the excerpt that best demonstrates regional dialect is:
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
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Simplify this solution Beyond the Answer
“Shucks! If dat’s her notion she’s barkin’ up de wrong tree. Mah hands is full already.” This excerpt showcases a lively regional dialect distinctive to African American Vernacular English, reflecting the Southern rural setting. The use of phonetic spellings and vocabulary like “shucks” and “barkin’ up de wrong tree” captures the characters’ personalities and their cultural background beautifully.
In Zora Neale Hurston’s writing, regional dialect not only adds authenticity but also enhances the storytelling by immersing readers in the local culture. It brings the community’s speech patterns and rhythms to life, encouraging readers to hear the unique voices and understand the social nuances of the time.
