What percentage of Native Southerners under 30 have a distinctive Southern accent? (universities, living)

[southernnaturelover]

I have a fairly thick accent, and so does my sister, but I notice that my 15 year old nephew doesn't (not sure why). We live at the far NW tip of the FL panhandle, but if I drive just 30 minutes down towards the coast, people sound much more neutral.

I pronounce can't as caint, want as wont, water as wuter, dog as dawg. I drop the g on words like going. I also usually replace doesn't with don't (something about "doesn't" sounds annoying to me).

If I travel north I can alter my accent, but I see no reason to here at home.

[Tezcatlipoca]

How does one pronounce dog in any other way than dawg?
Like the O in pot?
It being pronounced any other way than dawg sounds really weird.

I drop r's often and so do others n my town even though accent maps say my area doesn't. Quizzes always tell me I have a southern accent but i'm starting to think I have more of a Tidewater/Mid-Atlantic/East Midland mix.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by Tezcatlipoca

How does one pronounce dog in any other way than dawg?
Like the O in pot?
It being pronounced any other way than dawg sounds really weird.

Many people outside of the South pronounce it kinda like 'blog' or 'bog'. There's no 'aw' sound to it.


There's a reason why in Georgia they say "Go Dawgs!". LOL

'Off' is another one, I pronounce it more like 'awff'.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

Many people outside of the South pronounce it kinda like 'blog' or 'bog'. There's no 'aw' sound to it.


There's a reason why in Georgia they say "Go Dawgs!". LOL

'Off' is another one, I pronounce it more like 'awff'.

There's no way to pronounce 'off' other than 'awff' either!

[sonofaque86]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

Many people outside of the South pronounce it kinda like 'blog' or 'bog'. There's no 'aw' sound to it.


There's a reason why in Georgia they say "Go Dawgs!". LOL

'Off' is another one, I pronounce it more like 'awff'.

I'm from South Carolina and everyone says DOG like "dog"...Only time I hear DAWGS is when referring to Georgia Bulldogs

[sweetchas]

Your accent will always be there especially after 30 where would it go? LOL it might not be as strong especially if you move to another part of the country but once you start speaking with another southern person it comes back strong.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by sweetchas

Your accent will always be there especially after 30 where would it go? LOL it might not be as strong especially if you move to another part of the country but once you start speaking with another southern person it comes back strong.

I hate that about accents. When I was talking to an English foreign exchanger, I reverted back to my central London accent in front of friends. Embarrassing

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by sonofaque86

I'm from South Carolina and everyone says DOG like "dog"...Only time I hear DAWGS is when referring to Georgia Bulldogs

I've heard plenty of people from SC pronounce it as "dawg".

[sonofaque86]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I've heard plenty of people from SC pronounce it as "dawg".

I bet you have but I'm from there and grew up around "millions" of South Carolinians and heard thousands speak. Not "plenty". So I'm sure my experience is a little better than someone from Florida/Alabama. Thx

[sonofaque86]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I've heard plenty of people from SC pronounce it as "dawg".

And let me add living in Savannah, GEORGIA for a year.