Final answer:
Major dialect regions in the US can be identified through linguistic research, surveys, and mapping. These regions often align with folk culture regions and are influenced by ethnicities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major dialect regions in the United States can be identified through various methods, including linguistic research, surveys, and mapping. One way to determine dialect regions is by analyzing word choice and pronunciation differences in different regions. Geolinguist Rick Aschmann has mapped North American dialects using Y.o.u.T.u.b.e videos to identify small variations in language use.
Another approach is to examine the relationship between dialects and folk culture regions. Generally, the main dialect regions in the United States align with the main folk culture regions. For example, in the northeastern states, the dialects are typically within the family of Yankee dialects.
Additionally, ethnicity can be a factor in dialect variations. Ethnic groups often express their culture and identity through language, and dialects can be markers of ethnicity. For instance, the dialects of New York City bear the influence of Italian, Irish, and other second-wave immigrants from the mid-19th century.