* Early English settlers: People from various parts of England brought their dialects and pronunciations to the colonies, creating a foundation for American English.
* Native American languages: While less direct than the influence of English, some American English words and place names have origins in Native American languages.
* African languages: The transatlantic slave trade introduced words and pronunciations from African languages into American English, particularly in the South.
* Immigration from other countries: As the US grew, immigrants from various European countries and later Asia brought their languages and linguistic influences, enriching American English.
* Cultural and historical factors: The development of American culture, its unique political and social landscape, and the emergence of a distinct national identity all shaped the evolution of American English.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that American English is a product of diverse influences and a process of linguistic evolution rather than being founded by a single individual.