the California accent (San Diego, Long Beach, Fremont: living, gym, airport)

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by jc76

While on topic, why do Californian's always say midwesterners have a "southern draw"? I never thought of myself as having a southern draw but apparently I do by CA standards. Still don't get....as usual

I don't say that. I can tell the difference between WI, IL, MI and MN accents. For MI, I can even tell if they're a Yooper or not. I guess I have a good ear for **** like that.

By the way, it's "drawl".

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

That might be why.

I was born in Texas and spent four years at a midwestern university so I should say "most" of my life in So CA. I can pick up a Minnesota accent, though.

[CAVA1990]

What accent? Southern Californians don't have one. That's why the rest of the country takes speech therapy to sound like we do if they want to get into the TV or movie biz.

[s0nginmyheart]

My roommate and I have had this conversation a couple times. Moving from L.A. to Chicago, I would get a good chuckle hearing everyone's aaaaccent here (however, I've only been here for almost 2 years but I do catch myself saying things like 'I'll be right baaack'! =X )

Anyway. I asked my roommate (who is from FL) if he could describe to me what a Californian accent is like... you know, aside from things like saying "dude".

I(/we) don't think there's really a distinguishing way to describe or mimic Californian accents (besides making fun of valley girl/surfer lingo). The only thing that we kind of agreed on was that L.A. in particular has a laid-back ("bored") tone in speech. (Think: The Kardashians/The Hills)... I've had my fair share of friends and classmates who exemplify this as well, but it's just my thoughts...

[5Lakes]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

What accent? Southern Californians don't have one. That's why the rest of the country takes speech therapy to sound like we do if they want to get into the TV or movie biz.

Actually, you are wrong. There is definitely an accent that SoCal locals have, which seems to be more apparent for those who grew up near the coast. Many of the native born locals I knew while living in San Diego had it. It is hard to explain and does not stand out like many strong accents found in other parts of the country, but I know it when I hear it. I guess you could say that the vowels are kind of drawn out. As far as NorCal goes I can't really say for certain, but I never really noticed one on trips there.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by jc76

While on topic, why do Californian's always say midwesterners have a "southern draw"? I never thought of myself as having a southern draw but apparently I do by CA standards. Still don't get....as usual

I think you mean "Southern Drawl" or "Drawl" - not draw.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

Actually, you are wrong. There is definitely an accent that SoCal locals have, which seems to be more apparent for those who grew up near the coast. Many of the native born locals I knew while living in San Diego had it. It is hard to explain and does not stand out like many strong accents found in other parts of the country, but I know it when I hear it. I guess you could say that the vowels are kind of drawn out. As far as NorCal goes I can't really say for certain, but I never really noticed one on trips there.

I can't tell the difference. My husband is originally from NorCal and his family are all up there. I am from SoCal and my family all live here. We go to Norcal several times a year, and I've never noticed that people in NorCal have a different "accent" than we have here in SoCal. In fact, I've even heard the same 'patois' in NorCal as I've heard in SoCal.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

In fact, I've even heard the same 'patois' in NorCal as I've heard in SoCal.

Except for "hella". That's a North thang.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Except for "hella". That's a North thang.

LOL! I've honestly never heard anybody use "hella", except for Gwen Steffani in her song called "Hella Good".

[Fontucky]

I have. One of my kids went to San Jose State, and most of the guys on his ball team were from up there. They said hella, he started saying hella, I'd get annoyed... bla bla the usual.