the California accent (Oakland, Berkeley, Clyde: restaurant, county, Irish)

[hipcat]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

That's why I only included natives from 30, 60, or 90 years ago in my question. Of course transplants aren't going to be representative. Yorty's a Johnny come lately and wouldn't count.

The best example of what native Angelinos sounded like +50 years ago is former LAPD police chief Darryl Gates. He was born in the early 1900s and raised in this area.

[hipcat]

Originally Posted by hipcat

The best example of what native Angelinos sounded like +50 years ago is former LAPD police chief Darryl Gates. He was born in the early 1900s and raised in this area.

Here's how Daryl Gates sounds like. He has a middle of the road American accent. He was born in Glendale in 1926.


Police Quest Swat 2 Daryl Gates Interview - YouTube

Here's the typical So Cal Beach accent. Listen for his Flat A's, rising inflections, and drawn out Os. I hear this accent on the regular when I'm in Hermosa Beach.


Interview with Sharkeez Owner Greg Newman; The Bar Business - YouTube

[Fontucky]

"fer"

[Senno]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

"fer"

Ok fine, fer sure, fer sure, she's a valley girl and there is no cure?

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I haven't heard anyone since Mayor Sam pronounce LA as "Lawsang Gless."

I can remember hearing an explanation of Mayor Sam's pronunciation in a linguistics class.

But darned if I can remember what it was.

[DewDropInn]

Ol' Greg is a GREAT example of a So Cal beach accent:

Fer, Cus-tah-MER, guurls, NER-vis.

And his use of, "Well, yeah, ....." "Way better." "Like, um,..."

A dialect is not only the accent but the words chosen. End of class. Next time: The So Cal beach dialect and why it sounds like everyone is talking through the bridge of their nose. (Because we are )

[Fontucky]

I self-trained the "um" and out of my lexicon decades ago. Never will you hear or read that from me (unless I'm making fun of someone). Same goes fer "like" abuse.

[mateo45]

Dunno that it's a "California" accent, but get out in the Central and Sacto Valleys, and you can still hear some real strong "twangs" here, reminiscent of Arkansas, Oklahoma and N. TX!

Though frankly, I'd much rather hear that than stuff like "hella" (sheesh, gag me with a spoon)!!

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by mateo45

Dunno that it's a "California" accent, but get out in the Central and Sacto Valleys, and you can still hear some real strong "twangs" here, reminiscent of Arkansas, Oklahoma and N. TX!

Though frankly, I'd much rather hear that than stuff like "hella" (sheesh, gag me with a spoon)!!

There are hella Okie like accents in the valley LOL

Want to hear an original San Francisco accent, listen to Robin Williams. Quick and abrupt and often the volume and pitch goes up and then down.

[Fontucky]

It says he moved to Marin County from MI when he was in high school, followed by four years of college down here. I can't see a San Fran speech pattern picked up in that short amount of time.