American accent - Page 3 - Historum

History Chick · March 10th, 2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta

Interesting thread.

My grandmother was from the south. Her accent always amused me. It would always become more pronounced if she visited relatives in the south.

"Boy, git yer cotton-pickin hands off ma sofa. I'm gonna haff to warsh it again."

Being an American in the UK, I find that happens with me too - people say I'm picking up the accent here in England but as soon as I'm back around my American family, my American accent comes back strong. It also happens when I've been drinking.

**Rasta** · March 10th, 2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Bravo

You should hear me when I talk to my grandmother. The West Texas accent comes out strong.

I knew some guys from Texas in the Marines. What I remember most about their speech is that they were always "fixin" to do this or that.

**Richard Stanbery** · March 10th, 2011, 08:24 AM

Language is associated with family/culture to a large degree, isnt it? Thats why the accents get stronger when one who has been away comes back into it. (or gets drunk).

Thats why Im trying so hard to pass a little understanding of Appalachian on to the Brits on this forum. I dont want them to forget thier mother toungue, and thus fall away from our common culture. We love 'em too much to let that happen.

After all, somebody is got to learn them how to speak proper English, dont thee?

**Charlie Bravo** · March 10th, 2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta

I knew some guys from Texas in the Marines. What I remember most about their speech is that they were always "fixin" to do this or that.

You probably heard a lot of "I reckon"s and "you arta"s as well.

"I reckon you arta shut yer mouth, or I'm fixin to shut it for ya!"

**Rasta** · March 10th, 2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Bravo

You probably heard a lot of "I reckon"s and "you arta"s as well.

"I reckon you arta shut yer mouth, or I'm fixin to shut it for ya!"

LOL. Spot on!

**Richard Stanbery** · March 10th, 2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta

LOL. Spot on!

Them fellers was from the West or Southern flatlands, werent they?

Around here, it would be said..Ye orta shet ye mow-eth, or Ahm a fixin ta shet hit fer ye!

You doing alright, Rasti? I aint talked at ye in a spell.

**Charlie Bravo** · March 10th, 2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Stanbery

Them fellers was from the West or Southern flatlands, werent they?

Around here, it would be said..Ye orta shet ye mow-eth, or Ahm a fixin ta shet hit fer ye!

You doing alright, Rasti? I aint talked at ye in a spell.

Well done, RS. I lived in Western NC for a few years, and played a few characters from the Appalachians, and that's dead on how I'd have said it.

I also like how "y'all" from my homeland is "yuns" in Appalachia.

OUmillenium · March 10th, 2011, 08:47 AM

Same with Okie out here in Indian Territory. Small towns have it. Tulsa and OKC not so much. I'm from a small town but live in Tulsa for 11 years so can turn it on and off as needed. Reba McIntyre is the same way. I'm not a country music fan, by the way.

JimR-OCDS · March 10th, 2011, 08:49 AM

I heard it said that when a person meets a man who speaks with a southern accent, they automatically assume that person's IQ level is ten
points lower than what it may actually be.

Jim

**Charlie Bravo** · March 10th, 2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimR-OCDS

I heard it said that when a person meets a man who speaks with a southern accent, they automatically assume that person's IQ level is ten
points lower than what it may actually be.

Jim

Dunno if that's true of everybody but it is most certainly true of casting directors, especially in Los Angeles or New York.