Does Washington state have a regional accent? (Seattle, Kent: law, store)

[Fat Freddy]

Here in Gray's Harbor there is definitely a local accent.

I think it depends on how much meth the speakers consume, and how many teeth they have left.

[Sobefobik]

We don't say Warshington. The only people I've heard say that are from back east. They also say Or-i-gone. The difference I see with Canada is that some say "about" or "out" kind if differently, but I don't know if that's the case in BC.

And what's this talk about us saying "bag" weird? Please tell us what you mean!

[Freebird2007]

the only accent I have heard up here are from Canadians.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by canucker

The people up in Washington seem to speak a little bit differently. It sounds both Canadian and Appalachian (ie, 'warshington') influenced to me.

If they say WaRshington, they are probably not from Washington. The NW speaks real close to broadcast news English meaning there is very little accent or regional dialect.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by CarlB328

Some old people say it, I think it's an old time pioneer thing.

My family goes back five generations. It has never been WaRshington. That is what ignorant East Coasters and Mid Westerners would call us. Just like they say Nevahdah, Or-a-gone, or Boy-Z instead of the correct local pronunciations.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Sobefobik

And what's this talk about us saying "bag" weird? Please tell us what you mean!

Some native WA'ians say "bag" like :bay-g: (long a as in Bay).

I pronounce it :bag: to rhyme with "bad" (short a).

[f1000]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Some native WA'ians say "bag" like :bay-g: (long a as in Bay).

I pronounce it :bag: to rhyme with "bad" (short a).

agree that WA/ OR people do pronounce "bag" somewhat more like Midwesterners to my ears, than they do in CA ("short a")..interesting to find out what led to that influence

[Sobefobik]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Some native WA'ians say "bag" like :bay-g: (long a as in Bay).

I pronounce it :bag: to rhyme with "bad" (short a).

Ok, you got me. I actually do say "bag" with the long A like in "Bay." I never even noticed that before.

[DnSLA]

Originally Posted by TamaTala

Born in Yakima & raised there for 12 years, then spent 5 in Spokane, then 1 back in Yakima, then just over 1 in Seattle. I say bag w/ a short 'a' and never in my life have I heard any Washingtonian say Washington with the dreaded 'r' in it. Only transplants have been heard pronouncing it thus.

I have also lived in several others states, and many times have been asked where I was born & raised because I have no accent. Their wording not mine. I believe it to be as another poster already stated, that the PNW is known for the standard American accent.

I had to register just so I can agree. I've lived in the N. Tacoma/Auburn valley areas for 31 years and have asked many people what the Washington accent is. They all said that it was a very enunciated accent. My father-in-law on the other hand is from the south; a transplant for well over 16 years and says "Warshington" "Barry" =barrow and other things of the like that gets me just rolling at times.

[DnSLA]

Originally Posted by Sobefobik

Ok, you got me. I actually do say "bag" with the long A like in "Bay." I never even noticed that before.

If you're pronouncing bag bay-g how would you pronounce beg?