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The dialect is similar to people down in hampton Roads and parts of North Carolina. Nothing like Georgia, South Carolina, or Florida. I wouldn't call DC northern either. Demographically, DC does not fit. But I wouldn't call it all the way Southern either. Elements of both is the best anyone can say about it. As far as black church traditions, any city with a large Black population will have this except maybe NY and Philly.
Funny you say that considering that the majority of black people in the DC area probably have roots in South Carolina. If you took a random sample of black people in DC or Maryland, people will tell you their parents were from Sumter, Orangeburg, Allendale, Timmonsville, Beaufort, Spartanburg, Ninety Six, Newberry, Goose Creek, Florence, Conway, Marion, Bamberg, Elloree, Estill, Camden, Latta, Bishopville, Hopkins and on and on and on. There's definitely a heavy touch of southerness to the accent despite all protestations to the contrary.
Well let's just say it like this. What he said was people in Maryland say dug for dog. That is true but you have to be more specific. It is not commonly said in PG or Montgomery county. You can go months if not years without hearing somebody say dog that way. Now in Bmore, you'll hear it said far more than you would in any of the DC/Maryland suburbs.
Funny you say that considering that the majority of black people in the DC area probably have roots in South Carolina. If you took a random sample of black people in DC or Maryland, people will tell you their parents were from Sumter, Orangeburg, Allendale, Timmonsville, Beaufort, Spartanburg, Ninety Six, Newberry, Goose Creek, Florence, Conway, Marion, Bamberg, Elloree, Estill, Camden, Latta, Bishopville, Hopkins and on and on and on. There's definitely a heavy touch of southerness to the accent despite all protestations to the contrary.
Totally agree.
A lot of people have a hard time admitting anything about them or their area is southern and really take offense at any suggestion of it.
A lot of people have a hard time admitting anything about them or their area is southern and really take offense at any suggestion of it.
Because for most people, it simply isn't true. Most blacks in Montgomery County certainly do not come from farther South. Maybe PG county and parts of DC (not the gentrified northwest quadrant which I am familiar with). Also, not everyone from the DC area is Black.
Maryland, DC, and NoVA are Northern with Southern influences, I'd say. Same deal with places like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Delaware. (In contrast, Kentucky is Southern with Northern/Midwestern influences. While most of the Civil War border states became more like the Northeast over time, Kentucky went in the opposite direction.)
Because for most people, it simply isn't true. Most blacks in Montgomery County certainly do not come from farther South. Maybe PG county and parts of DC (not the gentrified northwest quadrant which I am familiar with). Also, not everyone from the DC area is Black.
Most people? I don't know about that...but for some people the mere idea of being thought of as southern or associating with anything in the South is very scary. It's kinda funny actually.
Because for most people, it simply isn't true. Most blacks in Montgomery County certainly do not come from farther South. Maybe PG county and parts of DC (not the gentrified northwest quadrant which I am familiar with). Also, not everyone from the DC area is Black.
Yes, they do. Where do you think they come from? Portland? There are quite a few Africans in MoCo, but they don't constitute the majority of the black population.
99% of DC-area residents would say they live in the Northeast Corridor, or Mid-Atlantic corridor.
I think an important aspect of determining if a city is southern or not is how the natives identify as such. The overwhelming majority of DC residents do not see themselves as Southerners. I think that needs to be respected.
Funny you say that considering that the majority of black people in the DC area probably have roots in South Carolina. If you took a random sample of black people in DC or Maryland, people will tell you their parents were from Sumter, Orangeburg, Allendale, Timmonsville, Beaufort, Spartanburg, Ninety Six, Newberry, Goose Creek, Florence, Conway, Marion, Bamberg, Elloree, Estill, Camden, Latta, Bishopville, Hopkins and on and on and on. There's definitely a heavy touch of southerness to the accent despite all protestations to the contrary.
As a Black native South Carolinian, I have to disagree. Although it's anecdotal on my part, I have Black friends from practically every corner of SC--the Upstate, Lowcountry, Pee Dee, etc.--and the vast majority of family members I and my friends have that moved up north moved to New York, by far. It seems that more Blacks from parts of NC and VA moved to DC.
As a Black native South Carolinian, I have to disagree. Although it's anecdotal on my part, I have Black friends from practically every corner of SC--the Upstate, Lowcountry, Pee Dee, etc.--and the vast majority of family members I and my friends have that moved up north moved to New York, by far. It seems that more Blacks from parts of NC and VA moved to DC.
And as someone who's actually lived in the DC area, I'll stick by my statement. Have you ever even lived anywhere near Washington, DC?
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Okay.
