The Dictionary of American Regional English released a survey to residents of Madison and Algoma, Wis. Tuesday in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s online Survey Center, according to a university news release.
UW-Madison graduate students began researching regional differences in word use, pronunciation, grammar and syntax throughout the United States between 1965 and 1970, which became the basis for DARE.
According to the release, the original DARE researchers traveled in truck campers with an extensive questionnaire and a recording device they used to capture people’s voices in person.
The survey will gather data from the original 22 Wisconsin communities researchers surveyed and 30 new communities, which will reflect the state’s current demographics, according to the release.
DARE published its fifth volume in 2012, according to the release.
“Publication of Volume V of DARE was a huge milestone, but not the end of the work,” DARE Chief Editor Joan Hall said. “American English has changed greatly in the last 50 years.”
Hall said the Wisconsin survey is expected to be completed by June 2015.
