Origin and Identity: The Implications of the Rez Accent

Abstract

The “rez accent” refers to the accent commonly found within Native communities in North America. A few scholars have explored the prosodic elements of the rez accent or theorized about the causes of its development, without taking into account its contemporary implications on the modern Native American identity. This study analyzes interviews with a collection of tribal members in order to dissect the relationship between the rez accent and cultural identity. Results indicate that modern usage of the rez accent reinforces contemporary Native American identity by acting as a new manifestation of a long-held cultural identity—containing elements of the culture, standing as a symbol of home, and refuting common stigma. Findings further implicate that awareness of the rez accent and its relationship with the rez accent vary by generation. These results denote a shift from narratives of loss surrounding Native rhetoric and suggest a collective shift in public stigma. This article concludes by emphasizing the need for greater research on modern Native American topics and greater modern Native American representation.