Do YOU have an accent/specific dialect when you speak??

[2disneywego]

I never thought I had any accent either, until I moved to the States from Canada. As soon as I say "out" or "about" everyone says, "oh, you're from Canada".

So, I guess my accent is Canadian, eh.

 

[Dopeygirl]

For the most part, I don't think Chicagoans have an accent either. I expected to hear one when I moved here but rarely hear one. I don't think I have an accent but most people do. When I'm out and about, I'm often asked where I'm from. Even when I was in college (two hours north of my hometown) I'd be asked the same question. And many of you Chicago DISers have said I have the accent thing too. Everyone on the TV sounds like how I think I talk too, so I guess I'm not a good one to judge! LOL

 

[Saffron]

Hmmmm. I think, yes and no on both accounts. I don't have much of an accent, but like many people in this area, I speak nasally? I wasn't even aware of it until we had 2 French exchange students stay with us one summer for 2 weeks. They always exaggerated talking through their noses to make fun of us.

As far as a dialect, sometimes. I try real hard not to in front of strangers or students, but I hear it sneaking it out every once in awhile. I may say things like, "Wow, I jist noticed that the wudder in the crick is really low taday." Once you get to know me, I just let it all hang out though, "Ahhh, what da hey, yo know what I mean?"

 

[Sonya]

I have read that they do encourage TV and movie people to speak with a more midwestern accent. Ours in the more neutral accent. I have traveled all around and have finally noticed mine, but I think I sound more like the majority of TV persons. For me it's very subtle, like telling a CT accent from a midwestern one for example, when the person is not someone with a thick accent.
Sometiems when I get talking just so I pick up a Kentucky accent from my mom's familly.

 

[CookieGVB]

Chicago people definitely have an accent. Chicahgoww is how you pronounce it.

Whadda yas tawkin' about? I don't have a New Yawk accent!!

 

[nativetxn]

Nope, I got rid of my accent on purpose.

 

[Buckalew]

I always thought I had a "nice mix" LOL (NJ/TN) But I heard myself on the answering machine one day and was mortified at just how much of a Southern twang I have acquired! Not that that is bad...it just not right on me. I've been told I have a "soft" voice. I think I have a harsh voice... boy, I may be mixed up! LOL

Marsha does have an accent. I had to concentrate on her words to catch them all. That was fun though. I was in awe speaking to Ms. Mac-key!!

Dan has an accent that is so strong that I say "what, what" an awful lot. I miss that voice. I think I'll give him a call soon and shock him!

I don't remember thinking Snoopy had an accent. She has a very sexy voice though so I don't think one catches the accent.

KimRaye, I spoke to you once, didn't I? I don't remember you sounded like Dan ...well, that is good, huh? cause Dan has a deep voice.

 

[helenabear]

Do you think Chicagoans HAVE an accent??

Kim, I hate to break it to you, but yes, you (and pretty much all Chicagoans I have heard) have an accent. Dan's is pretty bad, and yours isn't quite as thick, but to me, you both do not sound at all like the accents I hear on TV. You can ask Dan but I've actually "teased" him about the way he says certain things. But don't worry about it, I like hearing all these different accents. To make you feel good though, Luis says that I don't at all sound like an Ohioan So at least you sound right for where you live

 

[minniecarousel]

I think that most of us think that we don't have an accent. It's all in what you're used to hearing. The person I job-share with is from New York - & she definitely has an accent! My family is from northern Ohio and my relatives have a slight accent - my mom will occasionally say "warsh" for "wash" and she's been in California for over 40 years.
One of my brothers moved to Texas many years ago and they had to tell him to slow down when he talked! He now lives in Louisiana and his wife and daughters definitely have Southern accents. (which we love!)

 

[brerrabbit]

Yes, Texan! I did'nt think it was all that bad until I lived in Calgary, Alberta for a year and every time I opened my mouth the first response of the Canadians was "your not from around here, are you?"

 

[brerrabbit]

Sorry this is off topic but, oh my gosh I just went from Welcome Guest to Dis Veteran.

I must be spending to much time here!

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Dude-speak, totally.

 

[aprincessmom]

When I went to college (Massachusetts to Syracuse, NY) people couldn't figure out where I was from because they said I had no accent to tip them off. My sister, on the other hand, is very CLEARLY from Massachusetts.

I do have a tendency to pick up the accent of people I am around so when I visit the south I get a little drawl but it differs depending on where in the south, when I talk with my british friends I get more formal in my speech like a Sloanie. And when I'm with my sister we sound like Good Will Hunting gets in touch with their feminine side

But most often I don't sound like I'm from anywhere in particular.

 

[binny]

Ivebeen told I have a Canadian accent but most of the time I cant hear it lol.

 

[Jenzebelle]

I really don't have much of an accent at all. I pronounce my R's and everything!
The only time you can tell I'm from Massachusetts is when I'm excited. and even then it's not a typical Boston accent since I'm from Southern MA.

I also have a tendency to pick up the accents of people that I'm around.

 

[snuggles]

I have a very strong Southern accent, or so I'm told.

 

[Kitty 34]

Believe it or not, I was told I had a Michigan accent!! That was told to me years ago when I was out in Colorado!!

 

[Boots]

I am from East Tennessee. I would say I talk southern!!!

 

[Chil Sung]

Oh my GOD!!!!!
Yes, I have a HEAVY Bostonian accent!!! I've been trying to get rid of it for YEARS, but to no avail!! When I travel (ESPECIALLY down south), people pick it up INSTANTLY, and run wild with making fun of it!! It's all good!! Boy...When I move to central Florida next year, I KNOW I'm gonna catch hell!!

We have not ONLY a well known accent, but a language all our own!!! Now, moving south means no more frappes, no more "good" pizza, no more "good" bagels, no more clam chowda (New England style), if I say "tonic", they think I mean tonic water!! (Not even close!) No one knows what a "sub" is! No one knows what a "barrel" is! "Yiz" IS a word!! ( ) So is "Pissah!!" "Up Country" is the Lake Winnepesaukee region of New Hampshire!! Cliff from Cheers had a BOGUS accent that doesn't even remotely resemble a true Boston accent!! (BTW, for those of you that are curious....Rent There's Something About Mary on DVD, and listen to the accents of Steve Sweeney, and Lenny Clarke (Fireman, and police officer in the bathroom), then you'll hear what Cliff was TRYING to sound like, but couldn't!!) I could go on and on, but I gotta get to karate!!
Just swung at an 0-2 pitch, and missed, so I'm atta here!! G'nite, folks!

 

[ead79]

I have a mild Southern accent. Most people do not notice it, but they notice the Southern phrases I use first (like "y'all" and "fixin' to do something"). I tend to lapse into a more Southern accent when I'm around people with very strong Southern accents. I can do the twang as well as the Southern belle accent if I try.