I’ve never met a Native American face-to-face, at least, not that I know of. I have heard them speaking on TV, in interviews and on news reports, or other recordings.

In my opinion, they seem to speak English with a distinct accent. No, I can’t describe it, certainly not reproduce it, but I’m sure I can identify it. I realize that the Indian Nations are not the same, and they are culturally and linguistically very different. I also realize that many Native Americans do not speak their original languages, and only speak English now. But that English sounds very distinct and recognizable to me, across tribal boundaries.

I perceive it as clear, distinct speech, quite melodious and pleasant to the ear, and with a distinctly American twang to it. It would never be mistaken for a foreign accent, not even Canadian. I hear no trace of a recognizable regional accent such as Southern, Midwestern, or New England, but I do recognize it immediately. Neither do I hear any traces of Spanish, although I am aware many tribes were forced into reservations in the West, in areas long influenced by Spanish speakers. Their speech is easy to understand, without slurred syllables or dropped letters, or clipped consonants, and it is rhythmically smooth and moderately paced. I’m afraid I don’t know enough about linguistics to be able to describe it any better than that. But I’m certain I can recognize it, and I’m confident I could pick it out in a lineup.

I have no idea if this is real, or if I’m just making it up without realizing it, so perhaps one of you may know something about this, perhaps some of you live near an Indian community, or have friends or relatives who are of aboriginal stock. Maybe this accent is an artifact of the time when Indians everywhere were forced to learn English in school, sometimes even forbidden to speak their native tongues. I imagine this ocurred mostly in the last half of the 19th century, so perhaps what I am hearing is the American English of that time, a kind of linguistic island created by a school system operating under strict regulations. I don’t know.