Our accent... (Louisville, Barbourville: moving, phone, county)

[Digger57]

I was born in central Florida and had a pretty much 'neutral' accent. That is, until I moved to Alabama where I attended high school & college. Somewhere along the line I picked up a pretty thick southern twang, it always surprises me when I hear a recording.
My ex-wife was born In Ireland then moved to South Carolina when she was 8. She had a very interesting 'combined' accent that was interestingly pleasant. That is, of course, when she wasn't yelling at me!

Digger~

[gr8tobemom]

I would love to hear that combination...Irish and southern! Irish is my next favorite after southern. My geneology is Irish and German. Can't imagine what that accent would sound like!LOL!

[nlschr0]

We had some old neighbors from our last home out-of-state visiting us during the election hoopla, and there were several times during a Fletcher - Beshear discourse that they said, "What? What did he say?" We had to translate .

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by gr8tobemom

I would love to hear that combination...Irish and southern! Irish is my next favorite after southern. My geneology is Irish and German. Can't imagine what that accent would sound like!LOL!

well... my husband is kinda getting that way. I don't notice it but his mama sure does!

[missymomof3]

I was asked just yesterday where I am from. I told them here and she said... ooh, you've got that twang thing going on

[Unique Gal]

Originally Posted by kimmieyky

A question to those of you who have lived here all your life or at least for a long while...

How often are you teased or made fun of because of your accent?

I think about this because when I get back to my home county (Henry Co.), or when I am with my friends who live south of Louisville - it is not very long before my true self comes out and I throw the "ya'll's" and "reckon's" like wild fire. I have learned to flip it back and forth as the need arises - but sometimes I forget.

Why do I even feel the need to control it? Because working in Louisville for doctors, and interviewing for new careers has put me in a position to speak differently - and I hate it! I just want to be me - But my accent only highlights my blond hair, and I am automatically 'categorized' - if you know what I mean.

So - just curious if you guys feel the same need to tone it down on occassion - or if you even worry about it at all! I guess Louisville is so different because it is 'north' and has become a melting pot of immigrants from other states and countries - I truly feel the pressure to speak differently there.

My kids tease me about my 'phone voice' when they have called me at work - I turn the accent on and off like a switch!

What about ya'll?

KimmieyKY

Kimmie, be proud of your ky accent girl. I use to get ribbed about mine when I lived in VA Beach. I've been living in Victoria, Canada for the past 2 yrs. When I'm in a store and anyone hears me talking, they are all over me with my "Beautiful southern accent". All the people I have met here love my accent. And I'm sure your accent is one to be proud of also. I'm coming home soon, back to Somerset, hopefully by Christmas. Hold your head high and be proud of your accent. I am, and always will be. Maybe the others could learn to speak with our accent. lol.

[Unique Gal]

Originally Posted by Kichenwich

I have an AWFUL accent, and know it. Yes, I try my best to tone it down when in "mixed company" (which means anyone that is not related to me) but sometimes when I am really busy or stressed, it slips out. I never really thought about this until I was about 19, and working at Boonesboro State Park. A guest at the campground stopped me to ask where the store was located. When I pointed to the main road and told him to follow (read foller) 388 to the top of the hill, he cracked up. And I mean ROLLING and POINTING at me! He said "Say it again!" Not knowing what he meant, but now getting pretty hot under the collar, I asked what the heck was so funny. Of course, that sent him into further throws of laughter. He turned to the back of his Suburban, and told his kids to "listen up, she said foller instead of follow!" He then asked me if I lived in a holler or hollow. Needless to say, I was embarrased. The man started saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I find your accent adorable!" I asked hime where he was from. He told me his family was from Canada, but searching for a "hoose" (house) in Kentucky. Boy, did I laugh at him! That was the pot calling the kettle black. [/i]

Sounds like a true french canadian here in canada. Their accent is hillarious. lol

[Digger57]

I have a friend that is from England & works at a big resort in Orlando. People are always asking her where she's from because of her accent. She always replies "Alabama" (pronounced alley-bamma)...you'd be surprised how many fall for it!

Dig~

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by Digger57

I have a friend that is from England & works at a big resort in Orlando. People are always asking her where she's from because of her accent. She always replies "Alabama" (pronounced alley-bamma)...you'd be surprised how many fall for it!

Dig~

LOL How funny!

[FreeMarketSlave]

I was out west with relatives, and if i talked real slow, and thought about what i was saying, I could do pretty well not sounding too southern. I was talking with an aunt and we were discussing the ole(oil) situation when she started laughing. Oh well...