When I was little, I had a slight Korean accent because it's my first language.

Now, I have lived in TN for 11 years!! So, I catch myself talking with a Southern accent. When I was in D.C, this guy was like..."Are you from TN, or something cause you sound like it" But, when I speak formally (like infront of an audience) I don't have one at all. And when I'm with my friends, it slips out!

Ivory

Re: Accents?
 

I'm originially from Michigan and I've been to California a couple times and I can definitely say that we talk differently.

My husband was born in Indiana and grew up in Kansas and Ohio and we have slightly different accents. Most of the time you can't tell but the the way he says certain words or uses certain phrases shows that we grew up in different areas.

Most of my older family members are from Alabama, Arkansas, and Missouri and when I spend enough time with them I notice that I start talking a little differently.

I lost my Jersey accent a few years ago but whenever I go back for a visit I say dawg, cawfee, mawl..etc. I also have a spanish accent (1st language) but thats ok 'cause I live in Miami now.

Longwood ladies, please do tell more about the jumpers!

I was born in southwestern Illinois, pretty close to Missouri (pronounced "miz-ZERR-uh"), and moved to Wisconsin when I was six. I was made fun of my first month at school for my Southern accent, which I grew out of. However, when I go back down to visit family, I'm usually well returned to my accent before I cross the Illinois River. It also sneaks out when I'm tired, upset, or drunk.

I also have a powerful gift for mimicry, so I pick up on others' accents, be they southern, New England, British, Aussie, or whatever, within 10 minutes of conversation. People think I'm mocking them!

One that nobody's mentioned but is rather common 'round here is the Uper (pronounced "YOU-per") accent. Y'know Bobby's Mom on the cartoon show Bobby's World? Or the sheriff in Fargo? Kinda like that. It's basicly anybody who lives 'round Lake Superior, but it trickles down as far as Green Bay in WI and the Twin Cities in MN. It's funny.

Us Folks in Missouri and Kansas have NO ACCENTS! We Talk Normal it is yall who are from N/S/E/W who have accents!

Hell there are no Native Calif they all very well come from the Heartland of Mo/Ks!

You up North have to tawlk fast as it is Colder than a Well Diggers Butt!

You down South have Heat so you slow your stuff down, well except in N O where you eat OYSTERS and Drink Demon Rum!

You do not just understand!

I hope this helps with all of you people:cool:

Originally from Texas, I do not have a "Texan" accent that everyone thinks that all Texans have and I don't know anybody that does have a "Texan" accent.

I do have a friend from Ohio who I firmly believe has an accent. She denies it, but did tell me that there is a Northern Ohio accent and a Southern Ohio accent. I do not know which she has b/c I am not from that area.

I think everyone has some sort of accent, it just isn't very noticable. There is no "one accent" that is the norm, or is there? I think you notice the accents that are most unlike the one you have or are accustomed to hearing. :)

I never thought I had an accent until I left my lifelong home of Pennsylvania and went to school in Ohio. Everyone at school claims I have some kind of accent and I pronounce certain words funny. Maybe it's just that I talk properly and they talk weird. I mean, hey, Pennsylvania is the birth place of our nation (Philadelphia, Declaration of Independence, blah, blah, blah) everyone should talk like us!:)

You tell them Tom! Add those from Nebraska to the list too! Why else is Omaha the telemarketing capital of the world?:p I guess some of Missouri does have an accent, St. Louis people do the long A thing. But they're really almost Illinois, so it's alright.;) And my friend from Bolivar (right next to Springfield) has what I call a little bit of a smooth accent. Not southern, but smooth.:)

Two times in my life I was told I have an accent. Once was a friend from suburban St.Louis that said I have a hick accent (what the hell that is I don't know...). And once a chick from MinnEsOta said I talk fast and slur my words togeter. Yeah, compared to her I do!

Accents are beautiful distinctual tones and the best thing about a broad Aussie accent is our uncanny ability to imitate numerous other accents brilliantly.......:D

[
I do have a friend from Ohio who I firmly believe has an accent. She denies it, but did tell me that there is a Northern Ohio accent and a Southern Ohio accent. I do not know which she has b/c I am not from that area. ]


It's true! Us northern ohioans say our "a's" a little longer..like accent (ahhhk-cent). I got made fun of so bad when I went to school down South..Everyone was like, wait a second, say that again! Then when I came home, everyone told me I had a southern accent!

Wait, Tom, do you think Iowans have accent? We don't talk like Minnes-oo-tans ...

I don't have a New "Joisey" accent, though people have told me that I do have a slight one. When I went on Spring Break two years ago, my friends and I met these guys from Boston who had the most adorable accents. I got a kick out of pretty much every word that came out of their mouths because of the way they sounded. So now I think Boston accents are extremely cute and sexy!

OKAY!!!!
 

The 4 State Area: Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska DO NOT have axzents!:)

Use to go North and wanted to hear me talk Southern!

Then Go South and wanted to hear me talk Northern!

Many states have their own lingo: NY, NJ, RI, Mass, Tx, Ark! No lingo in Cal. as all from everywhere else!

N has an Asian Southern accent and love talking to her!

T has No accent being from Upstate NY and gone to MI U!

Hell we mid life people talk normal, just type bad!:D (ME)! K ?

Go to Europa and see what it is all abut! Oops Scotland!

Try Cockney, hell asked for a drink and said a say wat?!:D

There is no "ideal" accent. There is also no "correct" way to speak american english. Every region seems to have characteristic ways of speaking... they have their own vocabulary, etc.

I vary between basically eliminating any accent to having a typical okie accent depending upon who I'm speaking to.

Also due to the prevalance of TV, accents are typically not nearly as extreme as they used to be.