Why we talk like we do

Denver Post ^ | 17 Apr 06 | Jack Cox

[rellimpank]

On a recent Sunday morning, National Public Radio's Debbie Elliott interviewed a Denver man she identified as being from "Colo-rod-oh."

That night on the television drama "The West Wing," actor Jimmy Smits, playing Texas Congressman Matt Santos, referred to the state as "Colo-rad-oh."

The differences in diction weren't pronounced and probably went unnoticed by all but the closest listeners. But they pointed up an intriguing paradox: Despite the homogenization of much of American life, regional accents continue not only to survive, but to thrive.

[RandallFlagg]

Us native Colorodans aren't going to get this, are we?

[rellimpank]

---you mean there are still natives in Colorado?

[manwiththehands]

"You say, 'tomato', I say, 'STUPID!'" - Tim Allen

[rellimpank]

--you may find comments 24 and 29 on this thread of interest--


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615635/posts

[RandallFlagg]

LOL!! Thanks!

[beyond the sea]

"The differences in diction weren't pronounced and probably went unnoticed by all but the closest listeners. But they pointed up an intriguing paradox: Despite the homogenization of much of American life, regional accents continue not only to survive, but to thrive."

****

Any of younz who is rilly ascared tah believe dis, has never been tah tahn.

[beyond the sea]

"People grow up learning a certain way of speaking, and these regional differences persist because they reflect our personal identity." ----

Yep, ........ Go Stillers.

[Mojave]

Willie Green was banned for criticizing Bush on an immigration thread.

[shezza]

When we moved from Arizona to Alabama, I had to have my lab partner translate what the biology teacher was saying. ;o)

[jimtorr]

......regional accents continue not only to survive, but to thrive."

I think the writer is very mistaken about this. I have spent a lot of time in various parts of the country in the past 30 years, and I have found that the reverse is true. Accents continue to disappear. Even in England, the various accents are disappearing, and melding into a mild Oxford accent.

I have spent significant time (somewhere between a month and 12 years) in Oregon, various regions in California, Colorado, Texas, Florida and Maryland.

I found the strongest accents in San Angelo, TX, but even there it wasn't that strong.

The writer said that Canadian accents seem to be taking over. Come on! People only 'do' that accent for fun, eh?

[Coldwater Creek]

When we moved from So. Calif. to Tennessee, it took me forever to figure out what the eye on the stove was. They still crank the car here, which is something that as a small child I watched my father do outside the car with a tool that looks like a tire iron.

[Renderofveils]

Beaufort NC - pronounced (Bo' furt)
Beaufort SC - pronounced (Byew' fert)

Clearly homogenized. ;)

[Uddercha0s]

Funny though because I changed from yinz to y'all after moving south. I think it was out of survival not to be considered a damn yankee! lol

[tcostell]

I've often said that the only good thing that Bill Clinton did was get the New York Times editorial page to admit that not everyone with a southern accent is an idiot.

[Graymatter]

John Denver said (sang) it was Colo-ROD-o. I used to hear it all the time on the roddy-o.

[Graybeard58]

as a small child I watched my father do outside the car with a tool that looks like a tire iron.

I remember watching my father do that. We are ancient.

[blam]

"I think the writer is very mistaken about this. I have spent a lot of time in various parts of the country in the past 30 years, and I have found that the reverse is true. Accents continue to disappear."

I agree. I attribute a large part of the 'melding' to TV. I remember when TV's weren't in wide spread use.

[mewzilla]

regional accents continue not only to survive, but to thrive.

Except on local television news programs.

[Coldwater Creek]

True!! How things have changed. Yesterday, our grandson's were here. They wanted to go down the road and we insisted that that they take the cell phone.