So how's the Maine "Language?" (Bangor, Augusta: college, place)

[AustinB]

"the so called Maine accent sounds a lot like somebody with a bad cold. Some linguist should do a study on this."


I read somewhere that the Maine accent is about as close to "old english" as you can get.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

That is so funny! Oftimes when we travel out of RI, people ask, "Are you from Maine?" as we tend to drop the R's the same way. A Rhode Islandah would pronounce nor'easter just the way my forum name is spelled - nor'eastah. Years ago we bought a record called "Bert and I" which was a comic take-off on both the Maine 'accent' and what people "from away" thought Maine old-timers and hay-seeds would talk about. A gazillion laughs! A friend of ours from Ohio claimed it was "pretty lame stuff". But come to think of it, it DOES sound a little like someone who has a cold. I think the whole "ayuh" thing is way overdone, though. The only folks who really say that are probably trying to sound like Mainers, and are probably from away.

true i dont know many that say ayuh,,,'cept for some old timers, altho, along the coast the maine accent seems pretty thick (in the small fishing communities) i grew up in one of those small towns so i can attest to it,,,,

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

true i dont know many that say ayuh,,,'cept for some old timers, altho, along the coast the maine accent seems pretty thick (in the small fishing communities) i grew up in one of those small towns so i can attest to it,,,,

Ayuh is a short form of Yes or Ya done quickly while either inhaling or exhaling. The inhale or exhale gives it the "A" in the beginning and then it's more of a Ya. Kind of a short version of YAAAAHH from North Dakota or Minnesota. You're right I have never heard anyone but a comedian or uninformed movie maker use AYUH in it's full form.

[island mermaid]

I think Mainers have two different dialects. One I refer to as the fahmah's accent, is different from the other I refer to as the fishermans accent. I've found the accent from up in the county or north western Maine to be a little different from the accent heard along the coast. Fisherman have their own very distinct accents.

Just my opinion...

[deerislesmile]

Originally Posted by Fort Lauderdale mermaid

I think Mainers have two different dialects. One I refer to as the fahmah's accent, is different from the other I refer to as the fishermans accent. I've found the accent from up in the county or north western Maine to be a little different from the accent heard along the coast. Fisherman have their own very distinct accents.

Just my opinion...

Ayuh, ayuh, ayuh....
(BTW- that was "ayuh" in the Downeast accent, not the Way Downeast accent..lol)

I have never heard a native Mainer say "soder" for soda, though I often read that many do say it like that. If I hear someone say "soder", I think- "What part of CT are you from?" (Likewise with idea/ideer)

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Maineah

Ayuh is a short form of Yes or Ya done quickly while either inhaling or exhaling. The inhale or exhale gives it the "A" in the beginning and then it's more of a Ya. Kind of a short version of YAAAAHH from North Dakota or Minnesota. You're right I have never heard anyone but a comedian or uninformed movie maker use AYUH in it's full form.

I always that that it meant, "Heya" As in Heya, whatcha doing over there?

You rarely hear that YAAAAAHH, except in Northern Minnesota, but it is for the most part straight from Minnesota's Scandinavian heritage.

Where the heck does Maines accent come from? The accent seems pretty selective and it appears that the vast majority of those that I have met do not have it.

[msina]

What accent? It's everyone else that has an accent!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I always that that it meant, "Heya" As in Heya, whatcha doing over there?

You rarely hear that YAAAAAHH, except in Northern Minnesota, but it is for the most part straight from Minnesota's Scandinavian heritage.

Where the heck does Maines accent come from? The accent seems pretty selective and it appears that the vast majority of those that I have met do not have it.

It's European I believe. We know some people from Ireland and their accent is close to the "Downeast accent"

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by msina

What accent? It's everyone else that has an accent!

Yeah! Whatever are y'all talking about???

[moughie]

I have noticed that locals from non coastal areas say " rubab" for rhubarb.
Also " Auguster" for the capital, Augusta . Normally that is my signal that I am dealing with a native ( at least a non coastal native)

I welcome any comments