American Dialect Society – Page 2 – An academic not-for-profit organization that encourages the study of any aspect of all languages and dialects used or found in North America (as well as associated islands in the Pacific and the Atlantic) and in the Caribbean Basin, and the languages that influence them: spoken, signed, or written, modern or historical, Indigenous or introduced, common or rare.

Words of the Year
The 2015 word-of-the-year candidates so far…
December 29, 2015
Here’s a quick roundup of candidates for and discussion of the 2015 Word of the Year, which the American Dialect Society has been voting on since 1990. All previous winners are listed here. This year’s vote will be held January 8,…
Read more: The 2015 word-of-the-year candidates so far…
News
Nominating Committee Report
December 23, 2015
The American Dialect Society nominating committee (Luanne von Schneidemesser, chair; Jesse Sheidlower, Betsy Evans) proposes: Member of the Executive Council for four-year term 2016-2019: Kirk Hazen, University of West Virginia. Additional nominations may be made by a petition signed by…
Read more: Nominating Committee Report
News
Call for nominations for presidential honorary memberships
October 19, 2015
American Dialect Society members are invited to nominate outstanding students for a Presidential Honorary Membership. Each year the ADS president awards three of these memberships. Recipients are given four years of complimentary membership and recognition at the annual luncheon, which…
Read more: Call for nominations for presidential honorary memberships

A subscription to American Speech, the society’s quarterly journal.
One book in the PADS (Publication of the American Dialect Society) monograph series each year.
Access to the American Speech online archive dating back to 1925.
The society’s annual conference, held in conjunction with the Linguistic Society of America.
The annual word-of-the-year vote.
Access to the society’s member list.
Access to the members-only ADS-M announcement email list.
Access to the ADS-L discussion email list (also open to non-members).
Being a part of an organization that supports the Dictionary of American Regional English.

Join here!

American Speech, the society’s quarterly journal.
PADS, Publication of the American Dialect Society, monograph series published once a year.
Members-only ADS-M announcement email list.
ADS-L email discussion list (also open to non-members).

Support the Society