I was thinking about accents last night-- probably because someone told me I sounded like a hick since moving here (thanks a lot). Most of you all know that I am from the Washington, DC area. I know every region of our country has an accent, but I never could hear it when I lived there. It's not an obvious one because it's such a melting pot there. One of the accents I dislike the most is the southern accent, and I don't mean any disrespect because I have certianly picked one up living here. Some people like it, think it's cute, etc, but not me. People here butcher the English language (not all Southerners by any means, but many).
I think the most beautiful accent in the world is British, or anything similar to it. When I was in England in college, I loved hearing people talk and I hoped some of the accent would rub off on me, as I tend to pick up accents easily. Now, we are going to South Africa, where I believe they have one of the lovliest accents I've heard and I sound like a friggin' farmer!
Posted by Hannah at April 9, 2005 11:34 AMI lived in Texas for 5 years and picked up the accent a little and I could actually FEEL it in my mouth - I couldn't get the words out as fast as I wanted. I could FEEL the drawl. Ugh. Now that I'm back in Cali it actually seems EASIER to talk. Go figure. Any way there are certain people I've heard it on where it CAN be sexy, but otherwise I'm with you as in not my cup of tea.
Posted by: Pink Sun Drops at April 9, 2005 12:18 PMHannah,
I think it's safe to say you can't not keep a secret accent or no accent ;)
I luuuurve the British accent. Who told you South Africans had a lovely accent?
Posted by: Michelle at April 9, 2005 04:46 PMOh yes, I miss hearing South African's speak - my children's accents are fading - althought it's become normal to us, there are times when I consciously take note. When will you be going to South Africa? Enjoy the rest of your day
Posted by: Wendy at April 9, 2005 05:52 PMDo you know who I thought of when you said British accent? Madonna. Go fig.
Posted by: elaine at April 10, 2005 03:06 AMHubby is British and I love his accent!! But even here you will find that it will depend or where you are, on what accent you will hear. In Johannesburg and Cape Town you will find a lot of American and Englsih accents but when you are in Durban the Indian people have their own way of speaking. But you will learn words like "Lekker" that is one of the best afrikaans words ever. Remeber we have 11 official languages and everyone speaks English their own way!!
Posted by: Pixy at April 10, 2005 09:15 AMYou're so funny! I live in Southern California, and I was JUST mentioning to my husband that out west we have NO accent (well at least not to me). I, too, am a lover of British accents -- one of my very best friends is from England, and she still has her accent. Love hearing that!
I like your countdown ticker to your South American travels! So neat!
Posted by: Leslie at April 10, 2005 09:55 AMsome people in baltimore have a very thick accents (saying "zinc" for "sink" for example) but I have just a little accent. Matt has a staten island accent, mostly after a couple drinks!
Posted by: Rachel at April 10, 2005 10:54 AMaccents are an interesting thing. my family has always been mistaken for british/european citizens when we travel in america. i guess we have some residual british influence such that we use the same words. when i first started talking to mike, he said the same about my "pseudo brit" accent. oh well, now it's kinda international :) i do have some residual southern words in me like "y'all" and "buheye" [for bye]. Too funny :)
And you don't sound like a friggin' farmer, girl!
Posted by: stef at April 10, 2005 02:45 PMI love southern accents, but i am picky with them. My cousin sounds like she fell off a turnip truck and it is embarassing sometimes. My southern accent is pretty subtle, but enough that you know I am from the south.
I DON'T like the redneck accent!!
Posted by: Allison at April 14, 2005 10:53 AMI am a South African living in Austin, Texas. (You can tell by putting your head against the computer screen and listening closely to these words.)
I came to your site via Pink Sun Drops.
If you need any inside info about South Africa give me a yell.
Posted by: Trevor at April 16, 2005 04:17 PM