Another way of speaking English disappears as fisherman's death spells demise of rare dialect

Fox News ^ | 10/3/2012 | Associated Press

[Atlas Sneezed]

The county seat of Walton County, FL used to be Eucheeanna. It was moved to DeFuniak Springs sometime after the War Between the States.

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Since there were more than two states involved, shouldn’t it be: “The War AMONG the States”?

[Atlas Sneezed]

Well, at least we still have those fishermen who talk like the “Pepperidge Farm remembers” guy.

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Amusingly, the Bodega Bay, California locals depicted in Hitchcock’s The Birds spoke the same way! (Maybe it’s the salt water).

[yarddog]

I had an English kid on my staff when I was recreation director at a Summer retreat.

I really liked him and like you said, I had no trouble understanding him. The girls all thought his accent was lovable and he dated the cutest girl there.

Also like you mentioned, there were a few phrases which were different. I remember he called the hood of a pickup, “the bonnet”, etc.

Also just like everyone says, he had to have his tea. He even kept a hot water pot at the rec shack. Also was a soccer nut, and an extremely good player.

[Romulus]

I live in the real world.

In a tiny and shrinking corner.

[pops88]

I found it interesting how quickly my family adapted to using different terms when living in a foreign country- bonnet, lift, windscreen, etc., but reverted back so quickly when we moved. My daughter, however learned to read and write in New Zealand. A college professor accused her of putting on airs in her writing. She had to explain that was how she was taught to spell. Without the accent, he didn’t realize. He apologized. I read a lot of classics growing up so I always tend to add a “u” to certain words, too.

[Melas]

Interestingly enough, the t in often was only silent for a relatively short period of time. Up until the late 15th century it was pronounced and it began to move back into the language in the early 20th century.

[pops88]

Interesting. I have issues with language changes. Smacks of Orwell’s 1984. I hate that they purge words from the dictionary periodically with new editions. I probably need to learn to be more flexible :)

[x]

He was born in Canada, a native English speaker, but between very bad teeth, a speech impairment, and a drinking problem, I would have sworn that the guy was a Russian immigrant.

Could have been from Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island. Islands are like that.

[CityCenter]

Here, here! Language is the beginning of culture and defines how we view the world. The knowledge this man has is lost forever. It is a total shame.

[ClearCase_guy]

Huh. He was from Newfoundland. Had been a fisherman, came to MA to build houses.

[x]

Canadians make fun of "Newfie" accents.

There are a also islands on the East Coast of the US where people have been living so long by themselves that they develop their own strong local accents.

Unfortunately, when I google "Nantucket accent" or "Kent Island accent" all I seem to get are boutiques, decorators, bed and breakfasts.

Those accents are probably all dying out because of all the summer people.

[Rebelbase]

It’s of no consequence to me. I just have a twisted fetish for watching people make assholes of themselves.

[Rebelbase]

“There are a also islands on the East Coast of the US where people have been living so long by themselves that they develop their own strong local accents.”

In some of the communities along the undeveloped bays and sounds of of NC there are remnants of an Elizabethan dialect still spoken by the middle-aged and senior locals.

[Rebelbase]

“A college professor accused her of putting on airs in her writing. She had to explain that was how she was taught to spell”

I work with a guy who was raised on a former British Island in the Caribbean. I’ve had to proof his reports in the past to remove the brit spelling and word use.

[Lizavetta]

LOL !!!! Good one, sir.

[pops88]

I feel your pain. My husband and I started a cargo airline and I had to edit the operating manuals that were originally British. Seeing “whilst” makes me want to scream and throw things.

[RegulatorCountry]

Hoi toide on the soond soide, the crabs’re in the collards.

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks FeliciaCat. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[afraidfortherepublic]

When would we describe it as distinctly American?...and I marvel when I listen to the accents of people from early film...and compare them to today.

You bring up an important point. It's even more noticeable when you watch old news reels of Congress. We have few Senators, or Representatives, with really havy accents these days, unlike the 1940s, or '50s. Lyndsey Graham and Haley Barbor are the 2 heaviest accents that I can think of. I remember when Californians could barely listen to JFK. Fritz Hollings was almost unlistenable.

I credit universal TV and movies for the changes in speech.

[Monkey Face]

Awdang. I hate when that happens.

I hope he had the foresight to pass on the dialect.