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Somewhere between Southern & General American. I'm from Memphis and most people around here tell me that I don't have an accent at all. Sometimes people from other regions tell me that I don't have an accent either. I was born & raised in TN, so I hope I have a Southern accent, or something is wrong.
I posted this clip of me reading something on another thread:
You must not live in an Italian neighborhood. Your statements are complete fiction, and BTW that is a NJ accent.
The town I grew up in was VERY Italian.
To clear the air, the NJ accent that you're thinking of IS actually a NYC accent. It's the same accent. But most people in NJ do NOT have it. It's prevalent in some of the working-class areas of North NJ that are VERY close to NYC, and to a lesser degree elsewhere in the state among old timers (who grew up in urban places like Newark, Hoboken, Bayonne and Jersey City and have since moved elsewhere).
If you were to speak to the 5 Million or so people that reside in Northern NJ (let's say, north of Route 78), I'd guess that less than 10% would speak in an even remotely similar fashion to your friend Vito.
To clear the air, the NJ accent that you're thinking of IS actually a NYC accent. It's the same accent. But most people in NJ do NOT have it. It's prevalent in some of the working-class areas of North NJ that are VERY close to NYC, and to a lesser degree elsewhere in the state among old timers (who grew up in urban places like Newark, Hoboken, Bayonne and Jersey City and have since moved elsewhere).
If you were to speak to the 5 Million or so people that reside in Northern NJ (let's say, north of Route 78), I'd guess that less than 10% would speak in an even remotely similar fashion to your friend Vito.
I disagree. The brooklyn accent you speak of is very different. I agree the the yuppie class does not speak with that accent. But the NJ accent is very prevalent in the areas next to New York and Philadelphia.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyc_37
The town I grew up in was VERY Italian.
To clear the air, the NJ accent that you're thinking of IS actually a NYC accent. It's the same accent. But most people in NJ do NOT have it. It's prevalent in some of the working-class areas of North NJ that are VERY close to NYC, and to a lesser degree elsewhere in the state among old timers (who grew up in urban places like Newark, Hoboken, Bayonne and Jersey City and have since moved elsewhere).
If you were to speak to the 5 Million or so people that reside in Northern NJ (let's say, north of Route 78), I'd guess that less than 10% would speak in an even remotely similar fashion to your friend Vito.
Can you point out specific differences between a NYC accent and a Jersey accent? Also, specific differences between say Brooklyn and Queens? This Australian can identify a New York accent but that's about it.
I've lived in Northern NJ almost all my life, and people from out of state are surprised that I don't "tawk like dis". I've heard most often that my accent cannot be distinguished, but on more than one occasion I've been told I sound like I'm from Georgia (?).
Interesting, you have to get on that "Official Post Your Accent" thread then because that is rare for someone way up in NJ to have a GA sounding accent (unless you have parents/relatives from down here).
In GA, there are several accents: the Mountain, Piedmont area, and parts of South GA are rhotic. Non rhoticism can be found on the coast and some parts of South GA too.
How close is your accent to this: (skip to :53)
Rosalynn Carter (SW Georgia, non-rhotic and she probably doesn't sound like you).
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Summers
Interesting, you have to get on that "Official Post Your Accent" thread then because that is rare for someone way up in NJ to have a GA sounding accent (unless you have parents/relatives from down here).
In GA, there are several accents: the Mountain, Piedmont area, and parts of South GA are rhotic. Non rhoticism can be found on the coast and some parts of South GA too.
How close is your accent to this: (skip to :53)
Rosalynn Carter (SW Georgia, non-rhotic and she probably doesn't sound like you).
I think she's got a very classy accent . Although if I close my eyes I imagine hearing a black woman, because that type of non-rhotic accent has become so associated with black people in the media etc.
My region doesn't really have an accent, so I don't have a clue.
A common misconception, but everyone who has ever uttered a word in a language has an accent - its just that some people's accents are closer to the "General Accent" that is common in media. You may just have a General American accent.
There really isn't much of an accent in California but some people say I have a bit of a Spanish accent. Though when I visit Puerto Rico they say I have a California accent. I think accents are in the ear of the beholder so to speak. But bi-lingual people do tend to carry a bit of an accent with more emphasis on vowels than most English-only speakers.
Interesting, you have to get on that "Official Post Your Accent" thread then because that is rare for someone way up in NJ to have a GA sounding accent (unless you have parents/relatives from down here).
In GA, there are several accents: the Mountain, Piedmont area, and parts of South GA are rhotic. Non rhoticism can be found on the coast and some parts of South GA too.
How close is your accent to this: (skip to :53)
Rosalynn Carter (SW Georgia, non-rhotic and she probably doesn't sound like you).
I personally don't think I sound like I'm from Georgia, so I can't say which area people though I sound like I'm from. That's why I put the (?) - because I don't "hear" it. Where's that accent thread?
I was in Memphis a few weeks ago and a guy we were speaking to was flabbergasted I grew up right outside of NYC - he said I sounded nothing like you'd expect from NJ.
I disagree. The brooklyn accent you speak of is very different. I agree the the yuppie class does not speak with that accent. But the NJ accent is very prevalent in the areas next to New York and Philadelphia.
I very strongly disagree. The classic "NJ accent" that appears in movies existed/exists only among some working-class WHITE NJ residents. For better or worse, that is a demographic that has been consistently shrinking in NJ, and is now almost non-existent. Also, the stereotypical NJ accent (at least a thick one) is generally only heard in people who don't really have a higher education. Again, that is a population on the decline - NJ is the #1 most educated state in the country (ie, it has the highest % of people who hold college degrees).
The vast majority of NJ residents speak in a general Northeastern/Mid Atlantic accent. Most of us confuse people when we travel to other places, as many people think that everybody from NJ speaks like the cast of Sopranos.
I will say, though, that I lived in NY as a kid, and 95% of my extended family still lives in NY. When I am with them, and specifically when I am with them and cocktails are flowing, I may exhibit a tinge of that stereotypical NY/NJ accent...but I definitely pronounce my R's, lol.
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. Although if I close my eyes I imagine hearing a black woman, because that type of non-rhotic accent has become so associated with black people in the media etc.
