How do you feel about Southern people being portrayed like this in the Media?

[atlantabuckhead]

Originally Posted by deerislesmile

Perhaps you need to come listen to the people of Maine and rural New England speak- their accents are MUCH thicker than the examples you shared... they don't have "r"'s at the end of the word, and sometimes not when it occurs in the middle of a word... I couldn't find any examples of newscasters speaking in a Maine accent, but these are good examples of what it would sound like... (these would be similar to the true Southern accents that you are looking for- used by the common people and not watered down)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VE2f-dg7qI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPGf77t9hRA
(Bonus on this one- that's MY hometown in the footage..and my dad's boat pops up there a few times, too...)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhK-dadngtM

Maine's comedian Bob Marley (Language Warning On This One... but he nails the accent perfectly...because it's his REAL accent!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjPbhTe3Ud8

I challenge you to share with me ANY newscaster that you have EVER heard that has a real Maine accent... but I don't think you'll find one.

And BTW- Long Island isn't even CLOSE to being part of New England.

Did I ever say that there are numerous sportscasters from Maine on televeision/media? No, I did not.

Did I ever say that Long Island was apart of New England? No, I did not.

Please, stop putting words into my mouth.

[deerislesmile]

I apologize- I thought the inclusion of the video that supposedly showed a Long Island accent was in reply to my saying that genuine New England accents were ALSO not featured on national newscasts/coverage. However, I would also disagree that the Long Island accent in that video was not "watered down"- I think of the strongest Long Island accent being more like the one that is spoken in Montauk (or MwonTwauk...as the case may be). As well with the example of a Boston accent- the one you shared is not what I would consider to be a hard-core (or hahd co'ah) Boston accent.

I don't think any of the prominent accents in the US are really showcased in the media, and I don't think it has anything to do with people being biased against the southern accents as the OP alluded to, because other regional accents are equally absent. I would think this has a lot to do with the fact that most reporters and others in the communication/public speaking fields are taught during college (or during job training) how to make their regional accents less prominent- proper pronunciation, word spacing and diction... in order to make them more appealing to the general public. It's not an anti-South thing, IMO.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by deerislesmile

I apologize- I thought the inclusion of the video that supposedly showed a Long Island accent was in reply to my saying that genuine New England accents were ALSO not featured on national newscasts/coverage. However, I would also disagree that the Long Island accent in that video was not "watered down"- I think of the strongest Long Island accent being more like the one that is spoken in Montauk (or MwonTwauk...as the case may be). As well with the example of a Boston accent- the one you shared is not what I would consider to be a hard-core (or hahd co'ah) Boston accent.

I don't think any of the prominent accents in the US are really showcased in the media, and I don't think it has anything to do with people being biased against the southern accents as the OP alluded to, because other regional accents are equally absent. I would think this has a lot to do with the fact that most reporters and others in the communication/public speaking fields are taught during college (or during job training) how to make their regional accents less prominent- proper pronunciation, word spacing and diction... in order to make them more appealing to the general public. It's not an anti-South thing, IMO.

Is Tim Sample still doing his "Postcard from Maine" on "Sunday Morning" on CBS? His segment used to alternate with a "Postcard from Nebraska" with another host.

I have to say that his accent seems to have become more pronounced over the years.

Maine--"You cahhnt get theeah from heaah"...

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by atlantabuckhead

HAHA! Maybe I am not being clear enough. Look at the part in bold that i highlighted.

IMO, there are many southerners to be found in the media. Listeners just don't know it because they don't carry the accent with them.

I believe that is exactly what I've been saying. You are misreading my statement.

[deerislesmile]

Originally Posted by MassVt

Is Tim Sample still doing his "Postcard from Maine" on "Sunday Morning" on CBS? His segment used to alternate with a "Postcard from Nebraska" with another host.

I have to say that his accent seems to have become more pronounced over the years.

Maine--"You cahhnt get theeah from heaah"...

I don't think they are still filming them, but they are on youtube!
His on-stage accent is different than his regular one (he uses r's!), though the on-stage one is pretty dead on for the accent in some areas of Maine.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

Ya know what? Might feel good to take your approach for a little bit. To my intended audience of South bashers, kiss my Swiss/German/Choctaw Southern a$$.

LMAO There ya go, my friend! Do you still have a radio show? If so, I think I would enjoy listening to it!

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by tallydude02

If I'm correct, I read that the original story did not contain all of that sadistic stuff. In fact, the "hillbillies" they encountered are nothing like the ones portrayed in the movie.

Now every rural mountain area, especially in the Appalachians, have that "Deliverance" factor.

Interesting stuff, tallydude! I haven't read the book itself, but don't doubt in the least what you say. Some of those novels which were made into movies in the late 60's to early '70's tended to take a very "anti-establishment" angle...especially when it came to the South.

Although it has nothing to do with the South per se, a good example is "Little Big Man." The novel itself was a pretty good -- and fair -- presentation of how the Native-American and "White" culture were not so much intrinsically hostile to each other, but just that they were two incompatible ways of life.

On the other hand, the movie (starring Dustin Hoffman) almost went to the point of making the "white guys" the "bad guys" to the point of it becoming a parody of itself!

And just to mention, I have some "Indian" (American sense) blood in me. One wouldn't probably notice it with my blond hair and blue eyes...but two of my great grandmothers (as best we can trace) were at least an eighth Native American (one Commanche, the other Cherokee), and I am proud of that.