Final answer:
If the United States and England were to cease all communication, their dialects would likely become increasingly different due to the lack of mutual influence, and local factors would shape the evolution of each dialect, potentially leading to the development of what could be considered separate languages.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the United States and England were to cut off all communication, their dialects would likely become increasingly different. This change would occur due to the lack of linguistic influence between the two, which has historically kept the dialects more similar. Without sharing media, culture, and direct communication, these English dialects would evolve independently, with each region's unique cultural, social, and ethnic factors influencing the progression of its dialect. This phenomenon is supported by the observation that isolated communities tend to develop unique dialects, as seen with the varying American dialects influenced by ethnic heritage and regional isolation.
Likewise, the impact of technology and globalization on linguistic evolution is notable. When communities adopt technologies and cultural products from English speakers, such as American-made personal computers or media content, it often facilitates a spread of the English language and influences local dialects. However, if the exchange of these cultural and technological products were to cease, the divergence of dialects would be more pronounced.
Finally, differentiating dialects could eventually become so distinct as to be considered separate languages. Historical precedence demonstrates that over time, dialects can accumulate unique features leading to the development of new languages, influenced by geographical and political factors. Thus, linguistic isolation could result in significant changes to the way English is spoken in the United States and England.