Does anyone in Savannah speak Geechee/Gullah or have a Savannah accent anymore? (Jersey: assessors, houses)

[AuburnAL]

It'd be interesting to hear. The links above weren't too hard to understand as long as you thought about what the words would sound like aloud more than how they were spelled although there were some words I couldn't understand.

[PATT GUNN]

"We are da' ones dat' know de' goin' ons
roun' here. chile!" I am a saltwata Geechee 'uuhman and if unnah'{you} want to hear, live and experience da' real ting, come on down and "jine WE' on the Savannah Riverboat Gullah Geechee Dinner Theatre cruise on the Savannah River. We take you on a historical journey from slavery to freedom, sharing stories and celebratin' the folkways, foodways and spirituality of ancestors of West African and Caribbean descent. Da' food, oh Gawd, to die fa - Jine WE! Next season - April through October, 2011. For special groups call today (912) 236-2404.

[PATT GUNN]

[quote=PATT GUNN;16196088]"We are da' ones dat' know de' goin' ons
roun' here. chile!" I am a saltwata Geechee 'uuhman and if unnah'{you} want to hear, live and experience da' real ting, come on down and "jine WE' on the Savannah Riverboat Gullah Geechee Dinner Theatre cruise on the Savannah River. We take you on a historical journey from slavery to freedom, sharing stories and celebratin' the folkways, foodways and spirituality of ancestors of West African and Caribbean descent. Da' food, oh Gawd, to die fa - Jine WE! Next season - April through October, 2011. For special groups call today (912) 236-2404.

Gullah Geechee is an interchangeable connection that represents African Americans on the coasts of GA & Northern Florida-Geechees, South Carolina & North Carolina-Gullah. We have a national recognition by the U.S. government (Thank You Mrs. Laura Bush) as the 13th group of 20 endangered communities in North America. Thus, the importance of showcasing local Gullah/geechee artists, cooks, writers, poets and tour guides is essential to the survival of these communities.


Google if you will the Gullah Geechee Commission - established in recent years by the US Congress - GULLAH-GEECHEE Bill passes congress.

[brenday01]

I think they are refering to "old fort" accent. There are plenty of old families in Savannah - my uncles have the accent I think in question. If you go to Effingham it's more of a country southern accent - big difference!

[Padgett2]

Originally Posted by brenday01

I think they are refering to "old fort" accent. There are plenty of old families in Savannah - my uncles have the accent I think in question. If you go to Effingham it's more of a country southern accent - big difference!

the "old Fort" Section was Irish. The accent from that area was an irish brogue.

[Professor Griff]

Seems like a lot of the blacks in the Charleston area have this accent. I have some family in McClellandville, SC and they ALL have this accent. When they talk to each other, if you don't keep up, you'll miss the entire conversation. The accent sounds very Carribbean, and when they get going I'm reminded of patois. Visiting Charleston, I found a lot of people also share the accent.

[BornNraised912]

Yeah if you leave the tourists downtown for a change

[njkate]

The language will disappear forever if this is allowed to happen..for what..to build over priced resorts...leave these people be.

Georgia's Sapelo Island community of slave descendents fight tax increase that threatens homes | Mail Online

[Shannieannie]

My Grandfather and father both spoke "Geechee" which was a form of creole or Gullah. Both were WHITE men from coastal Georgia (Richmond Hill/Bryan County) and my father had to go through speech therapy around the age of 6 in order to attend public school. I remember a good bit of the accent and remember that as my Papa (Grandfather) aged and lost teeth I understood him less and less. My father had to translate for him later in life. The words that were most thick with the accent when my father spoke were "Le-a-taad" (leotard) like in ballet, which he said because my sister and I took dance, "Bar-nickel" (barnacle) which attaches to stationary things that are in the ocean, "Cray-Lon" (crayon) that you color with, "Constellation" (consolation) as in "If it's any consolation...", and "Pacific" (Specific) as in "Be more specific." When he would say, "Be more "pacific"", I'd say, "Like Hawaii?!?!" to joke with him. The dialect has been deemed African/Caribbean exclusive to black people found in South Carolina and outlying Georgia barrier islands (The Low Country), but the truth is that it was prominent among many economically challenged folks that relied on the sea to make a living or for enjoyment. My family is "Geechee" because they spent so much time on the water fishing, shrimping, running moonshine, and simply enjoying the beauty. So... Now ya know. )

[Richardy]

Sapelo Island was settled by slaves after the civil war. Isolated with little subsequent increase in population, the English spoke by slaves was preserved. In 1994 I spent some time on the Island, then with a population of 75. I stayed at Mrs Baily's rentals. I told Mrs. Baily I had come to hear Geechee spoken. She said the last person to speak Geechee had died two years ago. Still had a great time.