US Regional Accents - Where do you fit in?
If you live in the United States, you're likely aware that there are a handful of regional accents across that great country of yours, many of which are immediately recognizable before even three words are strung together.
We've found a map that details the boundaries of each of the major regional American dialects.
Where do you fit in?
There are eight different geographical areas marked on that map each with its own unique linguistic characteristics.
Accent Quiz
You may recall that a while ago we took part in a fun quiz that helped you to identify which American regional accent you had.
By virtue of where we are located in Canada's Great Lakes region, the accent that best matched our way of speaking was the "Inland North".
The results for Inland North said:
You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
Accents Associated with Public Figures
If you take a look at Wikipedia.org, there is an entry dedicated to American English Regional Differences.
In the entry, the sounds of American speech are also identified with a number of public figures:
Ted Kennedy speaks with a Boston accent, while Jimmy Carter speaks with a Southern coastal accent. Chuck Schumer speaks with a New York accent. The North Midlands speech is familiar to those who have heard Neil Armstrong, John Glenn and Hillary Clinton, while Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Robert Byrd speak with South Midland accents. Comedians Mel Brooks and Ray Romano retain typical New York accents while Jack Black and Pauly Shore have the standard sound of southern California.
Have you noticed that you have a regional accent?
If so, have you found a way to use it to your advantage or have you had to overcome it?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Comments
Great example...
I know a fellow named Artz.
In NYC area,. they call him Autz. In CT and RI, it's Arts. In MA, it Aaaahts
Cheers!
David
Posted by: David Cook | March 25, 2008 9:00 AM
Yeah, they pegged me.
I'm from Cleveland and scored "Inland North" on the quiz.
Regional terms are a lot of fun too.
Anyone know what a "berm" or "tree lawn" is?
Happy Tuesday!
Posted by: Joe J Thomas | March 25, 2008 9:52 AM
That map is a little oversimplified. There is no such thing as a "Coastal Southern" accent. Within that area there are distinct regional accents every 500 miles or so East-West. West Texas, East Texas, Lousisiana, Mississippi/Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, Maryland, and Florida all have identifiable accents.
Posted by: Dale | March 25, 2008 4:27 PM
Hi Stephanie,
Your Vox Daily submission about the voice categories througout the US was interesting.
I am from the Dallas, TX area and your map shows me to be in the Coastal Southern Region. Interestingly enough there are so many different accents in this region it makes the head spin! I sound nothing like Jimmy Carter and having traveled the south into Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, you find a different sound in every state. Even traveling from the Dallas area out to see my family in East Texas is like going from city slicker dialect to redneckville in some cases! Funny how we are all so close geographically but sound so different!
My accent has presented mild challenges for me in my voiceover work but my demos don't show a heavy southern accent but I can surely get there without trying real hard. However, I just got a small job for Wrangler where I used my hometown native accent and I nailed the audition with just what they were looking for, so in some cases, right time, right place, right accent could be a ticket to success. It worked for me!
Kirk
Posted by: Kirk Greenhill | March 26, 2008 10:14 AM