Is the Southern Accent Leaving Mississippi? (Jackson, Tchula: neighborhood, schools, quality of life)

[lovindfw]

I was born and raised in the 'Burg but have been told I have no MS accent. Perhaps, it is because of my occupation. I just don't believe I ever had the accent. However, my husband swears that when I am really p***ed off, he hears it come out...

[DaniMae1]

no its still here...Slow, annoying, and unintelligent.. well some so this doesn't apply to everyone...

[ToughLuv]

Hell no it isnt leaving, you people are some of the countriest I've ever met.

[DaniMae1]

Originally Posted by ToughLuv

Hell no it isnt leaving, you people are some of the countriest I've ever met.

You are from VA? Man the biggest mistake I made was leaving Norfolk! At least I'd have a job there.

[Neutre]

This happens to a lot of accents that are stigmatized. The southern accent in America carries a significant load, which is why it is avoided when people are trying to sound "neutral" or educated.
The shift towards weaker southern accent is more prevalent among the younger generations, females, and jobs that are not "outdoorsy" as jacksonian puts it.
This phenomenon is observable also in other countries (and other languages). Interestingly it is often a north-south divide.
People from southern Germany more readily lose their southern accent when they move to the North (not the other way around).
Someone from northern England are more likely to "neutralize" their accent than someone from southern England.
Etc.

Originally Posted by NWS

Honestly I'm from NY and I've met so many people who have told me they were born and raised in MS and yet I was surprised that they had no apparent MS drawl or accent to me.

Originally Posted by Future Trooper

I believe gradually that the Southern Accent is leaving Mississippi.

Originally Posted by oldenfatt

Mass media is killing the southern accent, not just in Mississippi. I personally believe that a strong Southern accent places you at a disadvantage when dealing with non-Southerners who associate that accent with the negative stereotypes they so love to perpetuate.

Originally Posted by piano88keys

I don't think with all the voice training in the world, that the accent can completely leave. I've been trained professionally; when I sing, or when I am in "work mode" -- talking to colleagues, making business calls, etc -- I have been commented that I have a great radio or tv voice, and have been asked where I was from. They (the business people) are always surprised when I say I am from Mississippi... pretty much all my life!

But now... when I get excited, upset, or just generally any kind of severe emotion, that southern twang comes out! LOL I think it's that way with most professionals in this area.

The problem with our delightful accents is that people from other areas hear the accent and automatically think we are ignorant, stupid, take your pick of synonyms. It's pretty bad to be judged just from the way we sound. *grr*

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I agree with you there, local news stations wont even hire newscasters with a southern accent.

Originally Posted by jacksonian

Another variable is occupation. In my experience, jobs that are more centered around the southern culture, like farming, forestry, almost anything outdoors, etc tend to have a higher percentage of stronger southern accents. Offices with desk jobs are the opposite. My dad is a forester and has a strong southern accent. I, on the other hand, sit at a computer desk 80-90% of the time, and although I still have a southern accent, it is not anywhere near like my father's, except when I am around him for a while, and then my accent gets stronger like his. It's an odd spectacle.

Originally Posted by MrsMo

My son is seeing a lovely young lady and I was shocked when she told us she was from Mississippi. No accent. Once in a while when she gets excited telling a story I'll hear a little of that drawl

Originally Posted by winkatme

It has definitely made an exit from the coast and other urban areas.

Originally Posted by lovindfw

I was born and raised in the 'Burg but have been told I have no MS accent. Perhaps, it is because of my occupation. I just don't believe I ever had the accent. However, my husband swears that when I am really p***ed off, he hears it come out...

[DiogenesofJackson]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

Is the Southern Accent Leaving Mississippi?

yes, if Gov. Haley Barbour is speaking to an out-of-state audience.

No, if Gov. Haley Barbour is speaking to some backwoods, country folk who make up his constituency.

Anyone else notice this? Well we'll all find out soon enough if what NPR said is true and that the GOP is grooming Haley for the 2012 nomination.

[vital1]

Originally Posted by DiogenesofJackson

yes, if Gov. Haley Barbour is speaking to an out-of-state audience.

No, if Gov. Haley Barbour is speaking to some backwoods, country folk who make up his constituency.

Anyone else notice this? Well we'll all find out soon enough if what NPR said is true and that the GOP is grooming Haley for the 2012 nomination.

You mean Haley can lose that accent? Interesting.

As for the GOP grooming him, well, now the rest of the country can "hitch up their britches"

[jacksonian]

I'm from Mississippi, and I've never heard the "Guv" without his strong southern accent. I just can't see the entire nation standing behind him, unless the majority wants a hard-leaning right conservative. Who knows though, anything is possible.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by NWS

Honestly I'm from NY and I've met so many people who have told me they were born and raised in MS and yet I was surprised that they had no apparent MS drawl or accent to me.

My dad is like this, but he's been living in the Syracuse area for 45 years now but is originally from Tchula. You can still hear a slight accent, but it is isn't that strong.

[BruceW2]

Not all Southern accents sound stupid. Just most of them. Some sound quite charming. But the charming ones are few and far between. I don't think people think Mississippians are stupid because of the accent. I think it's the test scores and obesity.