Tag Archives: speech

We speak with a Lowland Southern dialect

dialect map screenshotYes, someone has created a map of North American English dialects, based on pronunciation patterns and it’s recently been updated.

It was developed by Rick Aschmann, a professional linguist and Christian missionary who grew up traveling back and forth between Mexico and the U.S.

The full map includes links to YouTube videos as well as audio clips of individuals thought to be representative of the specific area’s speech patterns.

Who are the folks used as examples for Birmingham, AL? There are three actually – U.S. Senator Richard ShelbyU.S. Congressman Spencer Bachus and retired Florida State University (and Woodlawn High School alum) Bobby Bowden (NOTE: the videos linked to are not necessarily the ones used by the site).

If you disagree with his findings, you can always contact him.

Screenshot of the North American Dialect map. Courtesy of website.

Tickets limited for Condi Rice lecture at BSC

Condoleezza Rice - courtesy of BSCFormer U.S. Secretary of State (and Birmingham, AL nativeCondoleezza Rice will be the featured speaker for this year’s Alex P. Stirling Lecture at Birmingham Southern College. The lecture, named for a BSC student who died of cancer in 1995, will take place on February 11 at the college’s Bill Battle Coliseum. You’ll need a ticket to get in to hear Stanford University’s former provost speak even though it is a free event and they first will go to students, faculty, staff and alumni before being opened to the general public (as it should be).

Those interested in securing whatever tickets may be left are encouraged to fill out the request form at the bottom of the page announcing the lecture located on the college’s website. They’ve got all of the other information that you’ll need over there as well.

Photo: courtesy of BSC website.

LaMonte’s speech still talk of metro Birmingham

An evening view of Birmingham's west side from VulcanOne of the highlights of this year’s MLK Unity Breakfast was the speech given by Ed LaMonte, a former Howell Heflin Professor of Political Science at Birmingham-Southern College. The former interim superintendent of schools for the City of Birmingham took the opportunity to discuss the severe divisions that still exist in Birmingham and its metropolitan area during his remarks (made one day before the special election to select the city’s new mayor).

Reaction to the speech has been mixed, with some believing that it was appropriate while others wondered if it was the right time, place or if it was even necessary.

Current interim Birmingham City Schools superintendent Barbara Allen was one of the people who felt that she had to say something about the comments made.

It only seems to make sense that both voices be looked at and for you to decide. LaMonte’s comments have been posted to our editorial section while this link to AL.com will take you to Allen’s comments published in yesterday’s (Sunday’s) paper.

What are we building in Birmingham?

One of the people who spoke at last week’s launch event for the Birmingham Business Alliance was Birmingham’s mayor, Larry Langford. Among other things, he announced plans for tomorrow’s groundbreaking for the BJCC’s multipurpose facility (a.k.a. dome) and other progress on projects throughout The Magic City.

As people begin to talk about the feasibility of the dome and other projects, they may want to take a look at this story published by The Next American City about whether or not a city should take the leap into convention center expansion.

Introducing the Birmingham Business Alliance

Yesterday evening a large crowd gathered at The Club for the launch of the Birmingham Business Alliance, the organization resulting from the merger of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Development Board. The entity’s president and CEO, Dalton Smith, shared the vision and mission of the BBA with those in attendance.

They’ve also wasted little time in setting up additional avenues through which the new organization can share information, including a new fan page on Facebook launched yesterday during the event.

Help bring Happyness to Birmingham in September

gardnerchristopherA large crowd turned out to watch the advance screening of The Pursuit of Happyness at the Alabama Theatre in December 2006 to help support The Firehouse Shelter. Well, now you have a chance to help bring the film’s subject, Christopher Gardner, to Birmingham on September 3 as the keynote for the United Way’s campaign kickoff!

Keppler Speakers is giving away a keynote speech by Gardner with all expenses paid to one lucky organization to help celebrate the launch of his new book and we’ve got until the end of today (June 15) to help the United Way of Central Alabama be that organization.

Find out how after the jump.

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UPDATE: The Mayor speaks at the ONB Breakfast Briefing

This morning Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford speaks to a crowded room at the Harbert Center to review progress on various projects taking place in the City. He has already spoken about the loss of common sense in the city as well as the city’s new 3D map, focused on Birmingham’s City Center. There has also been a presentation of the DVD created to make the case for the funding of the Birmingham Zoo’s expansion.

Take the jump and follow along: Continue reading