NPR: How to say ‘Demonbreun’ and 4 other unusual Tennessee pronunciations

June 2022

Why has the pronunciation of certain Tennessee place names changed so drastically over the years? In this "Curious Nashville" feature, I offer linguistic insight. LISTEN / READ

NewsChannel 5: Nashville's Fading Southern Accent

May 2022

Nashville's Southern accent is fading. In this evening news story I explain why. WATCH

Desert Leaf: Photography Speaks of Disappearing Languages

September 2019

In this article by Lorraine A. DarConte, I offered perspective on the phenomena of language death and language revitalization. READ

BBC-4 (Edinburgh): Sweetness and Desire: A Short History of Sugar

episode 5: Sugar Wars
March 2018

In episode 5 of this British series, food personality Bee Wilson explores sugar's role as a cause of geopolitical conflict. I spoke on the importance of sugarcane in Cuba during the colonial period as well as in the runup to the Cold War. LISTEN or READ TRANSCRIPT.

NPR: A 93-Year-Old’s Nashville Accent Lives On, Even As Dialects Fade

January 2018

Nashville — like most locales — is losing its distinctive accent. In "A 93-Year-Old’s Nashville Accent Lives On, Even As Dialects Fade," I shared some ideas as to why. LISTEN

Newschannel 5: Nashville's Charming Accent

March 2013

After Nashville received high ratings in 2013 for having the most charming Southern accent, I was called to give an expert opinion in a segment titled "Nashville's Charming Accent." WATCH