Marie Ramirez Downing

2020-2021 Koret Foundation Proposal Granted: $8000: https://www.dialectsarchive.com/                             Abstract: The International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA) website was created to be a repository for real people to contribute their accents and dialects for theatrical study. It is used by professional actors, students, directors, and voice and dialect coaches when producing plays that require accuracy and authenticity when telling stories of various regions around the globe. We seek true representation of Mexican and Chicano voices from the northern, central, and southern areas of California. The current database for Mexico and California needs to be updated and expanded. We collected new accents that represented and included every unique detail about our subjects and give them a platform to tell their stories through a written and recorded transcription process and performance by our SSU students.