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Old 03-18-2009, 08:52 PM
 
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,606 posts, read 55,779,416 times
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In terms of the way they speak; phrases, accent, the way they behave, do things...It seems Californian identity is limited to mostly living in the same state. Is there a real identity iyo?
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Old 03-18-2009, 10:44 PM
 
Location: Portlandia "burbs"
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I grew up in California until I was 23. I've lived in Oregon now for 30. And yet, both in California AND here, people continue to ask me if I'm "from New York". There is something in my speech that they think they're picking up as an eastern accent, but what they're detecting is actually a European-American accent that I picked up from my parents. And, so, depending on where you live in California, the accents could be a little varying.

Even in New York I came across more than a few people who assumed I was one of them. Very weird. Weird, but I rather like it.
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Old 03-18-2009, 10:57 PM
 
Location: here
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No. I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and have been asked in the past if I'm from Oklahoma. I live in CO now, and once never once looked at someone, and thought they must be from CA.
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Old 03-18-2009, 11:12 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,338 posts, read 93,435,175 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkb0305 View Post
No. I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and have been asked in the past if I'm from Oklahoma. I live in CO now, and once never once looked at someone, and thought they must be from CA.
It seems like Colorado has more ex-Californians than California has native Californians.
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Old 03-18-2009, 11:19 PM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,315,377 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles View Post
It seems like Colorado has more ex-Californians than California has native Californians.
You're probably right!

I'm a native Californian (accident of birth - military father) but my parents were from New York and between my upbringing and my own military service I have have lived in seven other states and three foreign countries.

I defy anyone to pinpoint my "accent."
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Old 03-18-2009, 11:20 PM
 
Location: I'm around town...
764 posts, read 2,024,859 times
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No--there is so much variety amongst Californians in terms of speech that it's not really possible. Even in my own family, full of native Californians, there's a big range of speech habits--from people saying "warsh" for "wash" to people who insert "like" as every third word. Lots of variety here!
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Old 03-18-2009, 11:20 PM
 
11,715 posts, read 40,320,496 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluesbabe View Post
but what they're detecting is actually a European-American accent that I picked up from my parents.
What country are they from?
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Old 03-18-2009, 11:25 PM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,315,377 times
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Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia View Post
What country are they from?
Since we're talkin' Kahleefornia, are you sure the proper question isn't, "What planet are they from?"
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Old 03-18-2009, 11:37 PM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
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I can tell a native or near-native long time Southern Californian. Don't ask me what I'm hearing, the nuances are subtle, but I've been here all my 53 years, so something's cluing me.

And I'm not referring to the extreme affectations of local speech, such as Spicoli's surfer-stonerspeak, or even Valspeak.
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Old 03-19-2009, 12:33 AM
 
Location: Vancouver, WA
8,176 posts, read 16,573,566 times
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This is a wierd and interesting question. But as a native I can tell mostly if ppl are not from CA originally. This is not only in their speech but mannerisms. I have always thought Californians have *no accent* and tend to be very direct - sometimes to a fault. But if you ask a person form England, Australia or Texas the same question I wonder if they would feel the same way regarding *their* accent?

I mean the correct pronunciation of english language was perfected in California wasn't it? LOL... C'mon, Like no way Dude! Thats just radical the way California like took the English language and totally corrected its usage. To bad the other states and countries *still* don't get it.

Derek

Last edited by MtnSurfer; 03-19-2009 at 12:57 AM..
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