[Savage Beast]

When I was a boy, Appalachia was remote geographically and culturally. The dialects and accents were striking. Today it seems no different from anywhere else. The dialects and accents are all but gone.

There are a few old-timers who actually translate various words: "Flu" is chimney. "Evening" means any time between noon and bedtime.

But every time I go to Appalachia, I marvel at the changes since I visited there with my parents as a boy. I can't even find some of the places we visited.

[jay1949]

There are still many places where the old accents survive, although the younger generation is being heavily influenced by what they hear on teevee and I am afraid that the native speech will die out in a generation or two. Popular culture has swept away much of the local culture already — e.g., fast-food joints have replaced mom-and-pop family restaurants. I think of it as The Sameness. And curse its coming.

[beckysueb]

But every time I go to Appalachia, I marvel at the changes since I visited there with my parents as a boy. I can't even find some of the places we visited.

We've been infiltrated by northern Yankees.