the California accent (live, snow, pronunciation)

[MonkeyKid]

How would you describe the California accent to someone? differences between a NorCal and SoCal accent. not in terms of vocabulary such as the excessive use of the words "like" and "dude", but more in terms of pronunciation.

[Fontucky]

I can't describe it. I can always pick out a native Southern Californian by subtle nuances in their speech, but don't ask me why. It's just there, and I guess I'm hearing it because I've been here for so many years.

This doesn't include affectations and niche forms of speech such as Valspeak and Surfspeak. Those are just ****ing annoying.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I can't describe it. I can always pick out a native Southern Californian by subtle nuances in their speech, but don't ask me why. It's just there, and I guess I'm hearing it because I've been here for so many years.

This doesn't include affectations and niche forms of speech such as Valspeak and Surfspeak. Those are just ****ing annoying.

So ... you'd spank me if I said "Cowabunga, Dude!!!"???

[Count David]

Yeah, the CA accent is definitely noticeable if you are from CA.

IMO Northern CA'ians have a "clean" sounding accent, if that makes any sense, whereas us Southern CA'ians don't, we're a little more sloppy.

Fontucky, is right, it's the nuances that give it away.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Yeah, the CA accent is definitely noticeable if you are from CA.

IMO Northern CA'ians have a "clean" sounding accent, if that makes any sense, whereas us Southern CA'ians don't, we're a little more sloppy.

Fontucky, is right, it's the nuances that give it away.

Here in the desert we know when people aren't from CA because they will typically say "oot and aboot" instead of "out and about".

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Here in the desert we know when people aren't from CA because they will typically say "oot and aboot" instead of "out and about".

Yeah, you get a lot of those Canadian snowbirds don't ya?

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

So ... you'd spank me if I said "Cowabunga, Dude!!!"???

I ain't spanking a dancer. You'd kick my butt.

But I'd look askance at you with my arms akimbo.

[jc76]

While on topic, why do Californian's always say midwesterners have a "southern draw"? I never thought of myself as having a southern draw but apparently I do by CA standards. Still don't get....as usual

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by jc76

why do Californians always say midwesterners have a "southern draw"?

Southern? No. Just really flat vowels, like "Maahm" instead of "Mom" and "Chi-cawg-o" instead of "Chicago." I've lived here nearly my whole life and have never heard a California accent.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by jc76

While on topic, why do Californian's always say midwesterners have a "southern draw"? I never thought of myself as having a southern draw but apparently I do by CA standards. Still don't get....as usual

I don't know. You're from Northern Indiana, so if anything you might sound similar to an annoying Illinoisan or Michigander.

Perhaps if you were from Southern Indiana you might sound "Southern", but I don't know what you sound like so I'm not going to judge.

Originally Posted by CA4Now

I've lived here nearly my whole life and have never heard a California accent.

That might be why.