Do people in RI know they have accents?

[NCGator]

When I first moved to Rhode Island, the accents all screamed out at me. By the time I moved away a few years later, I wasn't hearing it anymore. Interesting!

Our funniest experience with the accent: Our neighbor was asking us if we had been to Reeders yet. I said no, I had never heard of it. He couldn't believe it because it was literally right there on the corner turning into our neighborhood. I told him I'd look out for it. Days and days later after looking for this supposedly amazing Reeders ice cream, it suddenly dawned on me that it was, after all, the Rita's right there on the corner.

[Kimmaci]

I was raised in Ohio, lived a lot of years in GA and have lived in Chicago, Washington DC and now RI. You talk about accents? Everywhere you go there are accents. In New England there are very distinct accents and each is derived from upbringing (Italian family), location (NY, Boston) and other influences such as your parents. My husband's family have 8 children and the oldest has a VERY strong accent - which I can't figure out. My husband's accent tends to leave R's out of some words and put R's in word's where they don't belong. For instance, "Pizzer".

But, same as the South. Each southern state has a variation of the southern drawl - each distinct to a southern. I think they are all funny and endearing. I LOVE imitating a Cranston girl - it cracks me up. BUT, having somewhat of a southern accent - I am made fun of as well. People in NE definitely know I'm not from here.

But, like I said, I like it. It makes for good conversation...like in this thread.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by GermanSpy

If you want to go on about people sounding dumb because of how they pronounce words I'd suggest the next time you use foreign terms to sound sophisticated at least try to spell them right instead of butchering them.

It would be the nouveaux riches you're talking about.

Thank you. You are absolutely right. Far be it from me to have an opinion about accents if when typing it out I mis-type and spell a word incorrectly. After all, these days it is all about making everyone "feel good" and not hurting anyone's feelings with a differing opinion, Right? In spite of the "freedom of speech" we have in name only in this country -- OBVIOUSLY -- if you were put off by my analysis (or incorrect spelling of one word) there isn't much real freedom to state your opinion without subjecting yourself to the wrath of others who want to jump down your throat for a typo. JEEPERS!