Have you ever been suddenly made aware that you have a strong accent? I think of this from time-to-time. I always think I sound "normal" (whatever that means, right?) but then I will hear myself on tape and think, "OMG, I have THE worst Wisconsin/Minnesota accent"! Like, my accent is bad. If you've ever seen the movies, New in Town or Drop Dead Gorgeous, that is what I sound like. And my accent is worse than say, my sister's. Which is weird. I was in Cancun, Mexico, on a tourist bus when someone a few seats back said, "you must be from Wisconsin, right?" and I looked at him with huge eyes and said, "how do you KNOW?" and he said, "oh, the accent gives it away -- it's a very pleasant one though!" (So much for traveling incognito, right? Guess I could never hide in Mexico if I tried.)
Another situation where it was been brought to my attention? One time, PC (pre-children), I was out with friends and we were in this bar (our town has the record for most bars in a city square, but I digress), and these guys were in town because there is a military base nearby so they were from the South and they could NOT stop laughing at us, and particularly me! They had me say all these words and they said we say them all "wrong" -- LOL, like bag. Bag to me is pronounced "bag" (rhymes with "hag") but apparently people say "bahg" or something which boggles my mind! And the word, car, is pronounced "car" but they said you're supposed to say, "cah" -- say what? There's an "r" on the end. We really draw out our vowels here, I guess. Oh, another one is "roof" which I pronounce the "Os" as having the same sound as "took" but other people say "rewf", as in the same "o" sound as "move".
One thing I actually catch myself saying is, "Oh, I knooooow" and I know that is the most "Minnesota" thing that I do.
I don't know if this rambling is even making sense but anyhow! I will try and upload some video sometime -- I think I have some shorter clips.
Where are you from and do you have an accent? Tell me stories.
14 comments:
Sadly, I do. I'm a southern girl (Texas) to be exact, and I also tend to sound more red-neck if I spend time with red-necks.
In general I don't think its that bad, but when I spend time with my in-laws from Colorado they laugh so hard at my southern accent..
I get the Joisey thing - grab a cup of cawfey and tawk. I've studied singing and enuciation quite a bit, so I can hide my normal accident. It comes out only when exciting things happen...
I'm with you. I'm from MN and I think I sound normal. I find it funny when people say I have a "northern" accent. I don't see myself as having any accent at all.
HA! I am told that I have an accent, but I do not hear it. I am Canadian. Check out my vlog post and see for yourself!
http://www.calgarydaddy.com/2010/06/monday-mingle-june-28-2010-vlog-work.html
You do have an accent. I've heard it. It's adorable.
I tend to pick up a little bit of accent sometimes when I've been somewhere for awhile but having studied singing and being so cognizant of the way I pronounce things, I don't have a strong accent. I'm definitely a northerner but I've lived in Pittsburgh PA, northern New Jersey, and Ann Arbor, MI, which all have different accents.
I didn't hear any accent when I met up with you last summer. Of course we are from the same part of the world so I'm sure I sound the same way. My brother's girlfriend is from New Jersey and she had called a few weeks back and laughed her butt off at my "accent" since my brother sounds nothing like me (he's been in Missouri for 5 years).
Fun post! I love hearing about all of your accents, and I wish I could hear you all for real (Cate, I had a lot of fun meeting you in person, and I hope to do it again this summer -- hopefully soon, and Mol, it was so fun hearing your accent, and I really, really hope we can meet someday too)!
I am from SC so I have a really strong southern accent. My family in Michigan defiantely make fun of me! I absolutely hate to hear myself on video also! My husbands accent is way worse than mine so that makes me feel better.
I have thought about his, and to me, normal is what I see most in the movies. Take "Nip-Tuck" for example, the wife (and I think the cute Dr guy) has a very strong accent IRL, but has to practice "Normal" talk to play her roll. Then take Brad Pitt in (crap-I cant remember the name of the film) but he has to practive having an accent to play the part of someone who has an accent.
Know what I'm saying?
So most movies that "I" see, they talk normal, and I "believe" I talk normal too. So no, I have no accent, however to someone who does have an accent, I may sound different, IDK, I've never asked, but now I'm interested.
And with what you describe, and from what I've heard when you left me a message that day, you sound normal to me. ::shrug:: =D
I would love to see a video with some of your Wisconsin Accent. ;)
And Calagrydaddy, you sound normal to me too.
Haha! I don't have an accent to ME... I guess it'd depend on where you're at. Like, if I came there to see you, you'd be like "haha you have an accent!"
BTW, I LOVE LOVE LOVED the accents in New in Town. I laughed til I cried.
Video. Please. ASAP.
@ Birdee and Rachel: it totally depends on where you live! Except if you're British -- they have an accent to everyone. LOL.
Calgary Daddy: watched your video -- you sound mostly like us, but you say "job" differently! LOL! It's more short how you say it like "jub" or something. I love it! I heart Canadians.
Dangit. Okay, so DH sent the camera we just ordered back because we weren't happy with the quality of the indoor pics or the macro. That cam had a video feature on it. Our regular camcorder records onto mini tapes and I have no idea how to get them onto here.
I will have to wait for the new camera unless I can figure out how to record a sound clip and upload it somehow! Off to search.
And Rach: I haven't actually seen New in Town yet, but my sister, mom, and aunt talk about it all the time and now I MUST see it!
I don't think I have an accent at all. Although a coworker from NY (I live in CT) SWORE I had a hilarious accent. Um, yeah, I think HE was the one with the crazy accent. LOL
Post a Comment