[Capital Guy]

So I've been traveling around the area. Went to NYC a lot, Boston, VT, RI and all of those places have a pretty distinct accent. Then I come back to CT and don't recognize one - well maybe slightly but not nearly as pronounced as the others. Why is this?

[andthentherewere3]

I see articles on this subject from time to time. Years ago I saw a great article that explained the reasons for our "lack" of an accent, but I can't find it anymore. I did come across this article that discusses it, though. It has to do with our levels of education and travel, and immigration into Ct. Depending on where you go and who you talk to in Ct. you will come across some strong accents. Often eople who live in a certain area of Ct. will swear the whole state drops their R's or some other such nonsense, but accents in this state are not widespread. For instance in FFC there are a lot of native NY'ers and their descendents that still have a strong NY accent. The same in some parts of northern Ct., you'll sometimes hear more of a Boston accent that comes from Mass. transplants. Then add the influence of foreign immigrants that heavily populate a certain town or city and the accent changes there. Often newcomers to Ct. will hear a particular accent and assume it's the native Ct. accent, but it really differs around the state. Generally a native Ct. resident has little accent or a very subtle accent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/05/nyregion/05CONN.html

[DawnMTL]

A friend of mine lives in CT now -- she's originally from New York -- and she says that CT definitely has an accent. (Hilarious that SHE should say that, right??? But, yes, she admits to a NY accent.)

She says that her kids are saying things like "hoorible" instead of "hawrible."

I'm originally from Montreal (but already "talked American" ) and am very prone to hearing and picking up accents (and making them my own), but I didn't hear one in the 7 years that I lived in CT. Now I'm in MA. It's just a matter of minutes before I sound like a Kennedy. Or maybe I already do...?!

[skel1977]

my family down south says i have an accent.

[captain_hug99]

There are pockets of accents around the state. When my husband met my dad, he noticed the CT accent. I was told by an elementary choir teacher that my hometown (Danbury) had an odd way of pronouncing "O."

Every once in a while I can her my CT accent coming out, there are a few words that are different than what I hear others in Colorado say.

[AnonChick]

People born and raised in the Valley and Waterbury have a very marked "new england twang." The short "a" is elongated and exaggerated, turned almost into two syllables.

I can't go...

turns into...

I keee-yunt go.

My name is Nancy
becomes
My neeem is Nee-yan-cee.

My name is Kerri
becomes
My name is Keee-ree (sounds like kiwi)

We are also notorious for refusing to pronounce the T at the end of words. Instead, we turn it into a glottal cough.

I can't...
I keeyun(cough).

I went south for vacation

I wen(cough) south for vakeeeeshun.

[Arm&Hammer]

I'm native Connecticut and some from out of state think I sound like cross breed of Queens New York and Boston and a little bit ghetto twist? Dont ask why I have no idea LMAO :-/

[SubieB4]

Hmm makes me wonder.. I was born and raised in CA in the LA area moved to NC for about 5 years and moved here to CT in late 1997, I don't think I picked up any accent at all but still retain m native California accent.

[katnip kid]

I definately hear an accent from folks from Hamden and New Haven. It is distinct. Remember Arnold Horseshack, from the '70s television show "Welcom Back Kotter"? The actor (Ron Pallilo?) who played him once said in an interview that he was trying to use an exagerated version of the accent an aunt(?) from Hamden had spoken with. Funny thing is, I noticed that he was using a Hamden/New Haven accent the first time I heard him use it! Aunts born and raised in New Haven spoke the same way, with the same inflections, etc.

I also hear a more New England/ RI accent on natives from New London...qwhaater for quarter, wotch for watch...guttah for gutter

[YtownGuy]

Everybody has an accent. Everybody. Perhaps the Connecticut accent is a bit more subtle than some others in the region.