Californian dialect

[venaja]

After watching a documentary on American accents a few days ago, I've developed a heightened awareness of regional linguistic subtleties. Everyone knows that there is "Northern" and "Southern" American English, but it is much more nuanced and localized than that, hence my newest hobby: obliterating all traces of the Californian dialect from my

Comments

[goulo]

Do you say "y'all"?

It seems a shame to me that apparently much of the English-speaking world regards it as some sort of Texas hick backwoods expression. It has always seemed quite practical to me.

[venaja]

I have never lived anywhere where people said it, so I never got into the habit. I agree, though, that it's very useful. It's a pity that it's not considered proper English.

[ablysstic]

I love to say ya'll. Although, when I say it here, by mistake usually - because it is a bad idea and just gets students wondering about a new word, I just get confused stares followed by questions from my students and looks of what trailer did you just get out of, from my colleagues :(

[naelany]

Heh, I know what you mean when you're not happy with your accent. I hate it when people tell me I have a Dutch accent (as in my ears, it's absolutely horrid). What gets me is that most people won't know I'm not a native English speaker until I tell them. Then they will say that I have an accent... *shakes head*

[venaja]

I actually think the Dutch accent is amazingly cute and probably prefer it over any other accent. It is quite pleasing to the ear. You shouldn't be frustrated if people say you have an accent, though. I think they are quite admired over here.

[naelany]

Maybe. Thing is though, that when I was in school, it sometimes litterally hurt to hear some people speak English (I mean, if a language can be butchered, tortured...they managed to, quite badly so). Most people in the area I come from don't speak any English at all, or if they do, very little and very poor English. For me, that's a Dutch accent, and it kills me to be told I have one. A love of accents aside by people this side of the ocean, I'd rather be told I have a European accent then a Dutch one (so I happily can remain in the illusion it's more English (proper) or Danish then Dutch ^_~)

[venaja]

Hey, don't worry! People don't have the same associations you do with Dutch, so when they say that, they are saying you have a European accent! Personally, I think the Dutch accent sounds better than the Danish.

[sla_mori]

Well you don't have Finnish accent in your English:D Well I think none of the English dialects sound stupid...

[venaja]

That is a rare opinion, even from someone who is not a native speaker. I think pretty much everyone judges you by how you speak. My personal annoyance with Californian, though, is all my own.

I think the Finnish accent sounds pretty cool, by the way.

[sla_mori]

Why is it rare?

[venaja]

Most people are very open about how they think one accent sounds "superior" to another. If it's not that extreme, they just call it a preference, but few people would say they like all dialects equally.

[misworded]

Are they ever going to play that program again? I'm concerned that I won't get to see it...

[venaja]

Courtesy of Yahoo TV!:

Do You Speak American?
KTEH, Tue Jan 18 01:00am PST
KTEH, Thu Jan 20 10:00pm PST
KTEH, Tue Jan 25 01:00am PST

I couldn't figure out what channel KTEH was, but at least there's hope you can still see it somewhere!

[sicklecell]

I don't think I know you, but oh well... welcome to my friends list :D.

[venaja]

Hey! Sorry, I never got around to introducing myself. I found you randomly. I admired your drawing very much.

[sicklecell]

hahah! I think I like you already.