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Pacific Northwest accent

This topic can be found at:
https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/756604565/m/9190012576

December 16, 2014, 19:06
tinman
Pacific Northwest accent
Read about the Pacific Northwest accent here and listen to it here .
December 16, 2014, 19:21
Geoff
As a native South Carolinian who spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon) I cannot agree with the linguist from that link. I hear distinct differences between "cot" and caught," etc. My relatives have a much stronger accent (pronounced "akseyunt")than do old-time Northwesterners. I suspect the professor interviewed newcomers, not old-timers.

Newcomers bring their accents with them and they reflect the speech of their peer group as well. If their leader's from Boston, pretty soon they'll all sound like Click and Clack, no matter where they're from.
December 17, 2014, 23:11
bethree5
I have nothing to add (having never hobnobbed w/NW'r's) except that the accent I hear on the links sounds pretty much like that of San Franciscans I have knosmn.
December 18, 2014, 22:16
Kalleh
Very interesting, Tinman. But I thought it was a given that everyone has an accent. After all, those from NY, for example, see their accents as normal so wouldn't they think we have an accent? It just seems to make sense to me.
December 19, 2014, 17:22
Geoff
You can really hear a difference between Northern and Southern Indiana residents. Northern folks sound much as I do; Southern ones sound VERY Southern, having a strong drawl.
December 19, 2014, 17:44
<Proofreader>
Thank gawd we don't tahk funny aroun' heah.
December 20, 2014, 21:51
Kalleh
Hmmm - I'd like to hear you, Proof. Rhode Islanders are the worst/strongest (?) of the New England accents.
December 21, 2014, 06:39
<Proofreader>
quote:
Rhode Islanders are the worst/strongest (?) of the New England accents.

I guess you've nevah been to Down East Maine.
December 21, 2014, 17:14
Geoff
Wiley Miller's comic strip, Non Sequitur, often features people speaking with a Maine accent.
December 21, 2014, 18:43
<Proofreader>
Many years ago, there was a radio program which featured a man who would listen to audience members and then attempt to name their state of origin from their accents. He was often quite specific and supposedly very accurate. I wasn't totally convinced that it wasn't a set-up until I became better acquainted with regional variations. Then I realized just how good he was, assuming it wasn't a set-up.
December 22, 2014, 20:39
Kalleh
I've never thought Maine had much of an accent. It must be the Down East that matters?