New England Accent? (Portland, Oxford, Washington: live, moving to, land)

[thepastorsson]

I'm moving to Portland in a couple of months, and it just dawned on me...am I moving somewhere with an "accent"? Lol. If so, how cool!

I've read that it's mostly non-rhotic up there, is that the case? Are you all "Mainahs"?

[Mark S.]

Some people in their mid-40s and older have a Maineah accent. Lots of trouble with their Rs. Or as they say it: "Aaaaahs." The farther north (faathah nawth) you go, the more accent. The faathah sooth, the less.

People in their early 40s to younger have almost no discernible accent. That's what happens when you learn most of the language by watching TV instead of listening to your grandparents.

[birdinmigration]

I agree with Maaaaahk S.

[thepastorsson]

Interesting! I look forward to experiencing Maine, even though I'm "from away".

[Northern Maine Land Man]

You will be welcome. Maine needs people who will work or are retired. Maine has numerous accents. From North to South;

Valley French
Aroostook potato farmer
Central logger
Washington County Logger
Washington County fisherman
Western mountains - essentially the same as Northern NH
Mid-coast fisherman
Kennebec County farmer
Old Oxford County
There is an occupational accent, complete with hand signals. That is Maine papermaker.
And our newest accent; Amish

Now watch this thread light up.

[dubthang]

West Michigan? You'll be the one with an accent.

[TerryDactyls]

I lived in Minnesota for my first 35 years and never thought I had an accent. I moved to Northern Viginia and was constantly asked what sort of regional accent I had. Then I watched Fargo. Wow. I did have an accent. Now I'm in Texas where the natives don't think they have an accent. I'll be in Maine by the end of August, so I'll have one more accent to learn. It should be wicked cool.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"West Michigan? You'll be the one with an accent."

Would that be a Yooper?

[thepastorsson]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

"West Michigan? You'll be the one with an accent."

Would that be a Yooper?

Lol no, Yooper is da U.P. They have a pretty strong accent up there. I've read that you guys say "ayup", well in da U.P. they say "eeyup"!

I actually only have a bit of a Michigan accent as I only moved to this state 8 years ago. I'm originally from the Mojave desert in California and have lived in quite a few different places. At this point I think I probably sound closest to "general American".

[thepastorsson]

Originally Posted by TerryDactyls

I lived in Minnesota for my first 35 years and never thought I had an accent. I moved to Northern Viginia and was constantly asked what sort of regional accent I had. Then I watched Fargo. Wow. I did have an accent. Now I'm in Texas where the natives don't think they have an accent. I'll be in Maine by the end of August, so I'll have one more accent to learn. It should be wicked cool.

Very cool Terry, I'll be there in June! We'll have to keep in contact.