Gullah: phonology Conclusion

To the extent that the Gullah sound system has changed over the years, one factor that is likely to have contributed to these changes is the growth of the tourism industry. Following the end of the plantation era, the distinctiveness of Gullah was preserved for many years by the isolation of the Sea Islands. However, since the early 1900s, the building of bridges and subsequent growth of the tourism industry has resulted in a significant increase in mobility to and from the islands. In addition, negative stereotypes and misconceptions about the variety have discouraged some locals from speaking the variety in public for fear that they will be ridiculed by outsiders.

Some believe that such factors have contributed to the merging of Gullah with mainland dialects. And many fear that this merging will eventually result in Gullah becoming extinct. However, Gullah still serves an important function among its speakers as a marker of culture, history, and identity. And even younger speakers, who are encouraged to speak dialects other than Gullah, seem to maintain some level of fluency in Gullah for purposes of in-group communication. This function alone may be enough to preserve the dialect for many years to come.