I had errands to run today, so I decided to stopped by Micky "D"s for a mocha before heading home. I had my laptop, so I decided to drink the coffee inside and check my email.
As I sat there, four young middle-school cheerleaders sat at a table nearby. I wasn't being nosy, but I happened to be close enough that it would have been difficult not to hear the girls.
What's interesting is that I could only understand a little of what they were saying, and I realized they were not only talking fast, but they also had no trace of a southern accent.
I'm not sure what's at the root, but I tend to think that television, computers, music and movies have become influencers.
We're known for talking slow down here. Often when we talk to people from up north, they have the impulse to finish our sentences for us, and some want to reach their hands down our throats and drag the words out.
When I mentioned what I'd experienced to Jilda, she said she'd recently read where Baby Boomers would be the last generation where a southern accent was prevalent.
On a larger scale, it seems that English, because it's the language of business, is becoming the dominant language across the world.
Since news and information circle the globe at the speed of light, it's only natural that the world would seem to be getting smaller.
I doubt there much that can be done to change the course of cultural evolution, but I can tell you -- I would be a shame to lose our southern-ness.
As I sat there, four young middle-school cheerleaders sat at a table nearby. I wasn't being nosy, but I happened to be close enough that it would have been difficult not to hear the girls.
What's interesting is that I could only understand a little of what they were saying, and I realized they were not only talking fast, but they also had no trace of a southern accent.
I'm not sure what's at the root, but I tend to think that television, computers, music and movies have become influencers.
We're known for talking slow down here. Often when we talk to people from up north, they have the impulse to finish our sentences for us, and some want to reach their hands down our throats and drag the words out.
When I mentioned what I'd experienced to Jilda, she said she'd recently read where Baby Boomers would be the last generation where a southern accent was prevalent.
On a larger scale, it seems that English, because it's the language of business, is becoming the dominant language across the world.
Since news and information circle the globe at the speed of light, it's only natural that the world would seem to be getting smaller.
I doubt there much that can be done to change the course of cultural evolution, but I can tell you -- I would be a shame to lose our southern-ness.
Awwwww love all the "y'all" and "howdy" and "ma'am"! It'll be a shame to lost the accent! Hope it doesn't happen! Take care
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I work hard to retain my Texas accent. Well, not really. It's part of my speech. but I know what you mean about the speed. My grandgirls talk so fast I have to either tell them to slow down or repeat what they said about 5 times.
ReplyDeletePlease don't be offended, but it will be fine with me if the southern accent goes away. When it's combined with poor grammar, it's simply horrible. I'm certainly not accusing you of anything, though. I know you're grammatically correct.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I find a southern accent one of the most charming sounds in the world. I wish I had one. I don't think southern accents in particular slaughter the English language - I think all regions contribute equally to that. Where I live it's not so much bad grammar as it's the word "like" and "you know" placed in a sentence every few words. Drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteI agree... it would be a shame.
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