Biggest problem I had with accents (not really a problem, just needed to figure out a work-around) is figuring out the distinction between a "pen" and a "pin". There's a difference. :-) But, they're pronounced exactly the same in my neck of the woods. I solved my problem by asking, "A Writin' Pen? Or a Stick Pin?". Solved.
That, and people (particularly older ladies, for some reason) pronounce my name "Beale". There is no 'eale' in 'Bill'. But when some sweet little old lady at the church picnic wants to call me that, I'm far too polite to correct her. Especially if she has sweet potato pie, which is a delicacy that I've gotten used to, real quick. :-)
It was explained to me that one was a stick pee in an t’other was an eenk pee in.
yeah, n’I suspect it had two syllables, too ... bee-ill
Until one day, that is. We'd been friends for about 10 years when they were over for the 4th of July. His wife came out of the house and asked what he was doing. He said "We're fixin' to go play horseshoes."
I'll always remember the shocked look on his face, because he realized it the minute he said it...... we had finally got to him.
And he STILL hasn't lived it down! ROFLMAO!
Yep, you’re right, I’ve heard “Beale” used for Bill, and it tends to be among the older folks. I personally call a pen a “pin”, but I usually specify “ink pin.”
You sound like the best kind of Yankee to me! You’re conservative, good-natured, and you aren’t mired in an arrogant sense of false superiority that, for some odd reason, leads you to mock our lovely region and its folks.
So it’s only fair that you got yourself a beautiful girl.