American Pronunciation

Two common beliefs in American society are that there is only one correct pronunciation and one correct spelling for each word, and that the meaning or meanings listed in "the dictionary" represent "correct" usage established by some incontrovertible authority. These views are convenient in that they enable parents to correct children, and they facilitate the assigning of qualitative values to students' spoken and written use of language. The "correct" pronunciation may vary within certain boundaries in a regional accent, but spelling and meaning are usually considered to be permanent. Deviation from the "correct" form is regarded as slang, nonstandard usage, or even a social blunder.