Do us Minnesotans have an accent? (Bemidji, International Falls: retired, population, paid)

[VelcroQueen]

Oh, not to worry, Govie! After I read that, I thought, "What a typical Minnesota-answer!" and I giggled at work a couple times when I thought of it that day. My first husband had said that to me a few times in response to something I'd said/done.

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by VelcroQueen

However, if I get around anyone from Minnesota, I fall back into it! If I even say "Minnesota," for the next 5 minutes, I am back into it! And I love it!

I do kinda like that... if I'm around anyone with ANY kind of pleasant ethnic-English accent (Minnesotan, Canadian, true Southern or Western drawl, Strine, Irish, whatever) I start picking it up in a matter of minutes. Give me a week and I'll sound just like 'em!

I don't think this is a bad thing... firstly, such accents lend colour and distinctiveness. Second, the ability to sincerely mimic speechways is a method of blending in, of being one with the local folks.

[VelcroQueen]

I hope it's not bad. It's just that one time, the person thought I was intentionally mimicking her.

[Govie]

Originally Posted by VelcroQueen

I hope it's not bad. It's just that one time, the person thought I was intentionally mimicking her.

I noticed just by reading a couple of your posts you've lived quite a few places. Is our accent that nice, 'cause I always thought it was. Much better than the southern twang stuff.

When my dad was in the Reserves down in AL he gave those backwoods kids a lot of crap for their accent, but they, too, gave him quite a bit for his.

[Charles22]

Originally Posted by icequeen2008

people throught the US and other areas that us Minnesotans have an accent.

It could be a grammar problem, too.

[VelcroQueen]

Originally Posted by Govie

I noticed just by reading a couple of your posts you've lived quite a few places. Is our accent that nice, 'cause I always thought it was. Much better than the southern twang stuff.

When my dad was in the Reserves down in AL he gave those backwoods kids a lot of crap for their accent, but they, too, gave him quite a bit for his.

No -- it's very good. I was born in California, lived in a couple areas there, moved to Mississippi, and the following states were Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Maryland, back to Minnesota, then back to California and other places on the West Coast. Of all these places, Minnesotans have the most pleasing-to-the-ear accents. Furthermore, they are so easily understood.

Because my first husband taught me your to speak Minnesotan, our children spoke very well, very clearly, from their first words on. Our daughter's first word was "rascal," as she laughed, reached up, and pulled her father's glasses off when he came in from work. We both nearly went through the ceiling! She was very tiny when she did this.

Both children grew up paying a lot of attention to words, pronunciations, correct American-English, and both write well. It's all because of Minnesota.

. . . Well and my first husband's Wisconsin relatives!

[5.0 Mustang]

Somebody recently asked me where I was from and when I said Minnesota I totally caught myself holding out the 'o.' I think I've become more conscious of it after reading on here!

[VelcroQueen]

If I thought i could get back my Minnesota accent without being pretentious, I would!

[Sonata36]

I used to say we didn't have an accent here until I lived in Cincinatti for a year.

When I moved back to MN, I couldn't escape the accent. Yes, we DO have an accent, and yes, it is very strong, no matter how much we try to deny it. It's not as bad in The Cities as it is with my relatives on The Range or other relatives in Roseau, but it's still pretty bad.

[VelcroQueen]

Bad? It is Beautiful! Embrace it! Appreciate it! Seriously!