The way Virginians used to talk... (Winchester, Christiansburg: radio, best, area)

[Tidewater50]

People on the Northern neck and Middle Peninsula still have their accents too. Just talk to somebody from Tappahannock or Warsaw.

[eaduke]

While growing up in the Madison-Culpeper area most everybody I knew had the accent.That was back during the 80's and I still hear it when I go back to the area.Of course not everybody I run into talks with an accent there so maybe they've moved in from somewhere else.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by blueeyes30

Southwestern Virginians still have their accents. My relatives and many people in Washington and Tazewell counties still have that mountain dialect. However, that part of the state hasn't really drawn in people from all over like the rest of Virginia.

But in areas of northern Virginia, the native Virginia accent or just a southern accent, is rare these days.

I am a native of Northern Virginia. I still have mine- and I'm under 30 !

[oneasterisk]

I moved to NOVA in 1989 when I was 9 and brought my Guamanian accent with me. I lived in Guam for about 4-5 years and that's where I learned English. After living in NOVA since 1989, I don't have an accent that I can detect. I no longer have a Guamanian accent. A Guamanian accent sounds very similar to a Hawaiian accent to give you perspective. I've spoken to other people about it, and they too say I don't have an accent at all. I do say "y'all" "ain't" and all that, but really don't have a "Southern" accent.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

I moved to NOVA in 1989 when I was 9 and brought my Guamanian accent with me. I lived in Guam for about 4-5 years and that's where I learned English. After living in NOVA since 1989, I don't have an accent that I can detect. I no longer have a Guamanian accent. A Guamanian accent sounds very similar to a Hawaiian accent to give you perspective. I've spoken to other people about it, and they too say I don't have an accent at all. I do say "y'all" "ain't" and all that, but really don't have a "Southern" accent.

We are about the same age! You probably have a very mild NOVA accent , which most people in the country sounds fairly neutral these days.

[highway29south]

Ahhhh, a Virginia accent. Music to my ears! I've been away for over 20 years and each time I hear a southern accent, I get even more homesick. I had to lose my southern accent to fit in here in Pittsburgh, but it still comes back when I get upset. Come to think of it, I should get upset more often!

[leaving513forever]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

If you're apart of a church (or social group) with older people you still get it. It all depends on where YOU go and hang out IMO.

It's probably just something that I noticed, but it seems like even in other parts of the country (even further north)the older generations ( 65 and up) will have southern accents..

[seanpecor]

All mainstream accents - everywhere in the country - are substantially different than they were 50 years ago. I'm originally from Vermont, and most Vermonters nowadays don't sound anything like they used to many years ago.

Fun example:

Vermont accent, now and then. All of the reporters in the clip are Vermonters, but the guy they're interviewing has a surprisingly authentic old-timey Vermont accent:


YouTube - Rabid Vermont Bobcat Attack

A folksy comedian does a spot-on Vermont accent:


YouTube - The Logger 3 Part 4

Anyway, I thought I'd chime in as a Vermont transplant living in Virginia

Sean

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by seanpecor

All mainstream accents - everywhere in the country - are substantially different than they were 50 years ago. I'm originally from Vermont, and most Vermonters nowadays don't sound anything like they used to many years ago.

Fun example:

Vermont accent, now and then. All of the reporters in the clip are Vermonters, but the guy they're interviewing has a surprisingly authentic old-timey Vermont accent:


YouTube - Rabid Vermont Bobcat Attack

A folksy comedian does a spot-on Vermont accent:


YouTube - The Logger 3 Part 4

Anyway, I thought I'd chime in as a Vermont transplant living in Virginia

Sean

LOL. Thats funny. Prime example of a Northern Redneck.

[Rita Mordio]

I've been told that I have no accent in normal speech. However, I notice that my speaking mannerisms change depending upon who I am surrounded by. I don't force it or try to do it, it just happens naturally.