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Honestly just curious; I'm not trying to be disrespectful. If you weren't already aware, it's how all of us throughout the rest of the Midwest imagine you sound when you speak. But to what extent is this a fair generalization of Minnesotans? (I've never visited Minnesota, by the way, but I fully intend on doing so in the near future. Your state seems lovely!)
The accents are extremely accurate. Most of us didn't know we had one until other people who had seen this movie pointed it out. The "movie" was in truth a documentary, and helped bring about the collapse of car dealer Denny Hecker in particular, the auto industry in general and to a lesser extent the Nation's economy. All of which likely would have happened on their own anyway.
The only negative aspect of the movie (as far as I know) was that wood-chippers were outlawed. You can still get them on the black-market or bring them in from Wisconsin however.
For further study into the language of Minnesota, I HIGHLY recommend Renee Zellweger's "New In Town". You not only get a language lesson, but a glimpse into Minnesota climate and culture. Although the film was shot in Winnipeg, it caught the essence of Minnesota perfectly.
Last edited by Mick St John; 08-09-2009 at 10:21 AM..
No, not accurate, at least not for most people. At least not in the Twin Cities. It's a funny movie; the accent that some people have has been highly exaggerated to be funny. There is a Minnesota accent, but for the most part and for most people, at least those where I grew up (Minneapolis), it's far more subtle. The only time people ever really point out my accent in other states is when I say "MInnesota." Otherwise people often think I'm a Canadian, or they tell me they're surprised I don't have the accent. I think they must be expecting someone straight out of the movies or something. I certainly have a MN accent, but it's nothing like you'd find in these over-the-top movies.
The only time people ever really point out my accent in other states is when I say "MInnesota."
I think you mean "minneSOH-ta"
Of course they're over the top. First time I saw Fargo I thought it was stupid. But seeing it several more times I began to appreciate it more. New In Town just expanded on what Fargo started.
Now, speaking Canadian is a whole different thing. You would have to say "aboot" and "eh?" a lot. "Ya" and "you betcha", not so much.
The Fargo clip is a satirical stab at the regional accents - and it's funny. My answer is no - certainly not an accurate "across the board" representation of the dialect here. I have come across only a handful of accents like this, which make me smile because it's slightly charming in a comical way.
p.s. - The movie Fargo was partially filmed on the street I live on - three houses down. It was "a hoot" to watch the bits and pieces, and even funnier watching them have to make snow while filming in February!
I don't think any of my friends say "ya" or "you betcha," although I do know people who say "uff da." (and oh, do I hate that phrase!) I don't say "eh," but I guess, in my case anyway, the Minnesota version of "about" is close to "aboot." (and yes, I made a typo - I do say "MinneSOH-ta".)
There are certain phrases that are pretty Minnesotan, or at least Midwestern, although I'm sure those have been addressed at length in other threads. Most people say "pop" and not "soda" (I'm a rebel, and sometimes people look at me funny.) I've never met anyone from outside of MN who grew up playing "duck, duck, gray duck" instead of "duck, duck, goose." My Illinois in-laws say "sack" instead of "bag," but don't know if that's a family or a regional thing.
I don't think any of my friends say "ya"...although I do know people who say "uff da."
Weird, all my friends say "yah" and I do all the time too. However I never hear "Uff da" around here, but my relatives in southern MN say it once in a while so I've always thought that to be more a southerner phrase.
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Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist
the Minnesota version of "about" is close to "aboot."
More like a boat.
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jwhalun08But to what extent is this a fair generalization of Minnesotans?
Fairly fair-most people from the cities say they don't speak like that and I think it's rather right because there are some ways I can always pick out that people aren't from around here and are usually from the cities. For instance, most cities people I've seen around ask "Where's a restroom?" when I and all my friends would say "Where's the bathroom at?" I hear "restroom" all the time in the cities, I never hear it hear.
Or, one thing I learned in 8th grade that us Minnesotans do wrong is that we "borrow" stuff to people. My teacher from Oregon couldn't stand it at all when someone would ask to borrow them something.
Or, one thing I learned in 8th grade that us Minnesotans do wrong is that we "borrow" stuff to people. My teacher from Oregon couldn't stand it at all when someone would ask to borrow them something.
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How many Minnesotans speak like this:
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