Continuing with our G.R.I.T.S. series:
The first thing that outsiders notice about us southerner girls is our sweet accent. It's one of the biggest thing that distinguishes us from New Yorkers or our friends in the Midwest. There once was a time when our lovely accent was hidden from the world, as it was thought to make our people less marketable, but now all sorts of high executives and the like are flaunting their accents. I think it's because they are so much friendlier with that slow, hospitable drawl. In fact, three of our last five presidents were from below the Mason Dixon Line.
The first thing that outsiders notice about us southerner girls is our sweet accent. It's one of the biggest thing that distinguishes us from New Yorkers or our friends in the Midwest. There once was a time when our lovely accent was hidden from the world, as it was thought to make our people less marketable, but now all sorts of high executives and the like are flaunting their accents. I think it's because they are so much friendlier with that slow, hospitable drawl. In fact, three of our last five presidents were from below the Mason Dixon Line.
What's not to love about the way we talk? In fact, it is linguistically closer to Queen Elizabeth's English than any other dialect used today. Of course, there is still plenty of diversity found in the South. There are over twenty-one different sub-dialects found here: From "Virginia Tidewater" all the way to "Gumbo." Also, in the River Delta area of Mississippi and Louisiana, Southern formed with French and West Indian to produce Creole and Cajun.
No matter where you're from, you can always appreciate a good ole Southern accent. So, if you're not from our slice of paradise, here are some little tips to get you in the right direction. Remember the saying, "Fake It Until You Make It."
WARNING: Don't try TOO hard to copy our accent. You might come off like you're making fun of us.
Southern Grammar:
1) "Y'all" is singular.
2) "All y'all" is plural.
3) "All y'all's" is possessive plural.
Four Secrets to Speak Like a Southern Girl:
1) Take your own sweet time.
2) Bat your eyelashes slowly and speak at the same tempo.
3) Add syllables whenever possible.
4) Adding "Sugah" "Precious" or "Darlin'' doesn't hurt either.
(This last one is known as Country Club Chatter and is usually found in neighborhoods such as Buckhead (Atlanta), Mountain Brook (Birmingham), and Belle Meade (Nashville).
Until next time,
kCa
loove this post!
ReplyDeletehehe today my co worker made fun of me for my southern drawl, but you know he was lovin it! ;]
ReplyDelete