...we just had a discussion/argument in the office.

[Edited 4/9/12 17:51pm]

That's weird because we have different accents depending on which region of the US we come from. I'm guessing that the Texas accent is the stereotypical one that non Americans are most familiar with?

Tell them that Texans sound nothing like New Yorkers, who sound nothing like Louisiana Cajuns, who definitely sound nothing like people from Massachusetts, but they're all American nonetheless...same for Hawaiians,

@ Genesia's post.

Was it the customer who corrected the person or someone else in the office?

I know that many native Hawaiians consider themselves Hawaiian first but I was thinking it was someone else that did the correcting?

is this about Dog the bounty hunter???

Dan told me to start this thread. I knew it wouldn't go well.

sextonseven said:

...we just had a discussion/argument in the office.

If you are from Hawaii...are you considered "American"?

Someone in our office was speaking to a Hawaiian customer and commented on her "American" accent.

He was corrected by someone who said "Hawaiian" not "American".

I argued that American means from the United States of America...so Texas, Alaska, Hawaii are all American.

Others argued that American & Texan mean the same thing, so if you're from Texas, you have an American accent.

I googled it of course, and Wiki's definition of "American" lends support to my argument...but then the other camp says that when we say "American accent" we mean someone who speaks english like a Texan.

[Edited 4/9/12 17:51pm]

The United States has regional accents due to its size. Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern are the major one. I don't think there is a California/West Coast accent.

As Hawaii is part of the U.S. it isn't wrong to call it either Hawaiian (specific) or American (general.)

Genesia said:

In general, citizens of the United States of America call themselves (collectively) "Americans." (What's the alternative? United Statesians? ) That said, Hawaii has only been a state for a comparatively short time. (Since 1959 versus 1848 for Wisconsin, for example.) So it's conceivable that there are some Hawaiians (natives, rather than transplants) who consider themselves Hawaiian ahead of American.

I wonder how much of that is attached to the state's identity as opposed to Hawaiian nationalism.

Hawaii, California and Texas were all at one time independent nations, so the state identity/pride I'm sure takes precedent.

SUPRMAN said:

sextonseven said:

...we just had a discussion/argument in the office.

If you are from Hawaii...are you considered "American"?

Someone in our office was speaking to a Hawaiian customer and commented on her "American" accent.

He was corrected by someone who said "Hawaiian" not "American".

I argued that American means from the United States of America...so Texas, Alaska, Hawaii are all American.

Others argued that American & Texan mean the same thing, so if you're from Texas, you have an American accent.

I googled it of course, and Wiki's definition of "American" lends support to my argument...but then the other camp says that when we say "American accent" we mean someone who speaks english like a Texan.

[Edited 4/9/12 17:51pm]

The United States has regional accents due to its size. Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern are the major one. I don't think there is a California/West Coast accent.

As Hawaii is part of the U.S. it isn't wrong to call it either Hawaiian (specific) or American (general.)

Look at the gnarly waves dude. Maybe not California but def surfer accent.

Of course not.

That's why Obama can't be president.

Hawaii is another country....a muslim one.

[Edited 4/9/12 21:21pm]

sextonseven said:

Dan told me to start this thread. I knew it wouldn't go well.

kewlschool said:

SUPRMAN said:

The United States has regional accents due to its size. Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern are the major one. I don't think there is a California/West Coast accent.

As Hawaii is part of the U.S. it isn't wrong to call it either Hawaiian (specific) or American (general.)

Look at the gnarly waves dude. Maybe not California but def surfer accent.

As a resident of Southern California, I don't hear an accent when talking to surfers.

Different lingo, but not accents.

I live in Texas, so when I go somewhere like D.C. and I hear the people talk there they sound so proper it's wierd. My cousin from Virginia has her Texas accent but her daughter doesn't. It's funny to me.

And yes, New Yorkers do have that stereotypical "eh" accent.

Terrib3Towel said:

I live in Texas, so when I go somewhere like D.C. and I hear the people talk there they sound so proper it's wierd. My cousin from Virginia has her Texas accent but her daughter doesn't. It's funny to me.

And yes, New Yorkers do have that stereotypical "eh" accent.

I've noticed that too. With the exception of The South and New York, the rest of the country sounds like a bunch of English teachers and you can hear all the "ing"s at the end of the words. It just don't sound natural. We don't be talking down here, we be talkin'.

Genesia said:

In general, citizens of the United States of America call themselves (collectively) "Americans." (What's the alternative? United Statesians? ) That said, Hawaii has only been a state for a comparatively short time. (Since 1959 versus 1848 for Wisconsin, for example.) So it's conceivable that there are some Hawaiians (natives, rather than transplants) who consider themselves Hawaiian ahead of American.

Interestingly (or not) enough, that is exactly what we are called in South America. Anytime I or another American tried to say that we were "American," the Argentineans responded that they were "American" too.

The correct response (down there) was to call ourselves "Estadounidense" which means United Statesian.

imago said:

Of course not.

That's why Obama can't be president.

Hawaii is another country....a muslim one.

[Edited 4/9/12 21:21pm]

vainandy said:

Terrib3Towel said:

I live in Texas, so when I go somewhere like D.C. and I hear the people talk there they sound so proper it's wierd. My cousin from Virginia has her Texas accent but her daughter doesn't. It's funny to me.

And yes, New Yorkers do have that stereotypical "eh" accent.

I've noticed that too. With the exception of The South and New York, the rest of the country sounds like a bunch of English teachers and you can hear all the "ing"s at the end of the words. It just don't sound natural. We don't be talking down here, we be talkin'.

Depends on the vernacular. Some "American" folk sound like they're speaking a different language entirely depending on what region of the United States the person hails. For instance, try talking to someone from the marshes of South Carolina, whom some folk call "Geechie" (sp) or Gullah, or some folk from the swamps of Louisiana, called Cajuns or Creole. Hell, even folk from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia can sound like they're speaking a different language. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be uppity, insulting or mean-spirited here. I find language and diction fascinating. At one time, I wanted to be an English teacher because I love words, written and spoken.

Shyra said:

vainandy said:

I've noticed that too. With the exception of The South and New York, the rest of the country sounds like a bunch of English teachers and you can hear all the "ing"s at the end of the words. It just don't sound natural. We don't be talking down here, we be talkin'.

Depends on the vernacular. Some "American" folk sound like they're speaking a different language entirely depending on what region of the United States the person hails. For instance, try talking to someone from the marshes of South Carolina, whom some folk call "Geechie" (sp) or Gullah, or some folk from the swamps of Louisiana, called Cajuns or Creole. Hell, even folk from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia can sound like they're speaking a different language. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be uppity, insulting or mean-spirited here. I find language and diction fascinating. At one time, I wanted to be an English teacher because I love words, written and spoken.

This is why the United States of America has often been seen as the ultimate "melting pot". The South, we have our own language: the Upper South (which is where I'm from) have their own language, the Deep South have their own language, the Gulf region that has some Southern states also have their own language. Then you go up Northeast and it's like you're in a different country. Same with Midwest, Middle Plains, Southwest, the full West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, it's all a melting pot and we're struggling how to deal with each other because we all decipher ourselves as "aliens".

Timmy84 said:

Shyra said:

Depends on the vernacular. Some "American" folk sound like they're speaking a different language entirely depending on what region of the United States the person hails. For instance, try talking to someone from the marshes of South Carolina, whom some folk call "Geechie" (sp) or Gullah, or some folk from the swamps of Louisiana, called Cajuns or Creole. Hell, even folk from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia can sound like they're speaking a different language. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be uppity, insulting or mean-spirited here. I find language and diction fascinating. At one time, I wanted to be an English teacher because I love words, written and spoken.

This is why the United States of America has often been seen as the ultimate "melting pot". The South, we have our own language: the Upper South (which is where I'm from) have their own language, the Deep South have their own language, the Gulf region that has some Southern states also have their own language. Then you go up Northeast and it's like you're in a different country. Same with Midwest, Middle Plains, Southwest, the full West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, it's all a melting pot and we're struggling how to deal with each other because we all decipher ourselves as "aliens".

True story. I work at a university that incorporates a nursing school; consequently, I get a lot of calls from all over the country/world. One day a lady called and said what I thought was, "May I have the muffin school?" I said, "I beg your pardon?" She said it again, "May I have the muffin school." I said, "I'm sorry. The muffin school? What is that?" She said, "No! I want the school of nussing!" I finally realized she was saying, "I want the school of nursing." I had to put the woman on hold. My dean came out of her office and saw me and said, "Miss C, are you crying?" I said, "Yes, Dr. K. I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard." The caller was from a country in Africa. I can't remember which one, but I should have realized what she was saying since I work with people from all over the world, but this day, she got me good!

Shyra said:

Timmy84 said:

This is why the United States of America has often been seen as the ultimate "melting pot". The South, we have our own language: the Upper South (which is where I'm from) have their own language, the Deep South have their own language, the Gulf region that has some Southern states also have their own language. Then you go up Northeast and it's like you're in a different country. Same with Midwest, Middle Plains, Southwest, the full West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, it's all a melting pot and we're struggling how to deal with each other because we all decipher ourselves as "aliens".

True story. I work at a university that incorporates a nursing school; consequently, I get a lot of calls from all over the country/world. One day a lady called and said what I thought was, "May I have the muffin school?" I said, "I beg your pardon?" She said it again, "May I have the muffin school." I said, "I'm sorry. The muffin school? What is that?" She said, "No! I want the school of nussing!" I finally realized she was saying, "I want the school of nursing." I had to put the woman on hold. My dean came out of her office and saw me and said, "Miss C, are you crying?" I said, "Yes, Dr. K. I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard." The caller was from a country in Africa. I can't remember which one, but I should have realized what she was saying since I work with people from all over the world, but this day, she got me good!

Muffins...

Shyra said:

Timmy84 said:

This is why the United States of America has often been seen as the ultimate "melting pot". The South, we have our own language: the Upper South (which is where I'm from) have their own language, the Deep South have their own language, the Gulf region that has some Southern states also have their own language. Then you go up Northeast and it's like you're in a different country. Same with Midwest, Middle Plains, Southwest, the full West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, it's all a melting pot and we're struggling how to deal with each other because we all decipher ourselves as "aliens".

True story. I work at a university that incorporates a nursing school; consequently, I get a lot of calls from all over the country/world. One day a lady called and said what I thought was, "May I have the muffin school?" I said, "I beg your pardon?" She said it again, "May I have the muffin school." I said, "I'm sorry. The muffin school? What is that?" She said, "No! I want the school of nussing!" I finally realized she was saying, "I want the school of nursing." I had to put the woman on hold. My dean came out of her office and saw me and said, "Miss C, are you crying?" I said, "Yes, Dr. K. I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard." The caller was from a country in Africa. I can't remember which one, but I should have realized what she was saying since I work with people from all over the world, but this day, she got me good!

See what I mean? This is a wild world lol

Timmy84 said:

Shyra said:

Depends on the vernacular. Some "American" folk sound like they're speaking a different language entirely depending on what region of the United States the person hails. For instance, try talking to someone from the marshes of South Carolina, whom some folk call "Geechie" (sp) or Gullah, or some folk from the swamps of Louisiana, called Cajuns or Creole. Hell, even folk from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia can sound like they're speaking a different language. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be uppity, insulting or mean-spirited here. I find language and diction fascinating. At one time, I wanted to be an English teacher because I love words, written and spoken.

This is why the United States of America has often been seen as the ultimate "melting pot". The South, we have our own language: the Upper South (which is where I'm from) have their own language, the Deep South have their own language, the Gulf region that has some Southern states also have their own language. Then you go up Northeast and it's like you're in a different country. Same with Midwest, Middle Plains, Southwest, the full West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, it's all a melting pot and we're struggling how to deal with each other because we all decipher ourselves as "aliens".

so so true. i was born in jersey, raised in oklahoma and am currently living in s carolina for grad school. my dad's dad was a creole from New orleans/baton rogue. his first language was that pidgeon they speak there and when he got upset noone could understand a damn thing he said. living here in the deep south most people consider me a northerner and think i sound like thye do. not hardly is all i can tell them.

Re Geechie/gullah: thats usually spoken toawrd the coast georgetown, myrtle beach etc. they're accent sounds,in my ears, very much like a light island accent. more trinidad than jamaica or st kits.

I know accents are diverse there, but here in NZ, we usually mean American to describe anyone from the 49 States, Alaska or Hawaii, even though America really extends from the Arctic wastes of North Canada to Cape Horn.

To us American accents are seen as very nasal, like the Australian and Mancunian/Cockney Accents of UK we see the American accents as annoying on lower ranking on the evolutionary scale (Along with our own working class/Maori Vernacular accent worlds like sweet as and churr), whereas we find the proper BBC English accent preferable.

We are not snobs here, but whereas Australia was mostly settled by English and Irish convicts, New Zealand was settled mostly by skilled English tradespeople and Middle class English and Scottish migrants, who came from prim and proper 1840s/1850s Victorian England and that has held to this day.

To me it sounds like Heeyy, thaats some cheeesebergers from Mrs Chester Bergersteen.

SUPRMAN said:

sextonseven said:

...we just had a discussion/argument in the office.

If you are from Hawaii...are you considered "American"?

Someone in our office was speaking to a Hawaiian customer and commented on her "American" accent.

He was corrected by someone who said "Hawaiian" not "American".

I argued that American means from the United States of America...so Texas, Alaska, Hawaii are all American.

Others argued that American & Texan mean the same thing, so if you're from Texas, you have an American accent.

I googled it of course, and Wiki's definition of "American" lends support to my argument...but then the other camp says that when we say "American accent" we mean someone who speaks english like a Texan.

[Edited 4/9/12 17:51pm]

The United States has regional accents due to its size. Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern are the major one. I don't think there is a California/West Coast accent.

As Hawaii is part of the U.S. it isn't wrong to call it either Hawaiian (specific) or American (general.)

yuh-huh, cali's got an accent, however slight.

When a collapse in commodity prices followed World War I, many bankrupted Midwestern farmers migrated to California, bringing speech characteristic of Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa; and this speech type has dominated to this day.

Personally, I can't hear it but I've been told we do.

Adorecream said:

I know accents are diverse there, but here in NZ, we usually mean American to describe anyone from the 49 States, Alaska or Hawaii, even though America really extends from the Arctic wastes of North Canada to Cape Horn.

To us American accents are seen as very nasal, like the Australian and Mancunian/Cockney Accents of UK we see the American accents as annoying on lower ranking on the evolutionary scale (Along with our own working class/Maori Vernacular accent worlds like sweet as and churr), whereas we find the proper BBC English accent preferable.

We are not snobs here, but whereas Australia was mostly settled by English and Irish convicts, New Zealand was settled mostly by skilled English tradespeople and Middle class English and Scottish migrants, who came from prim and proper 1840s/1850s Victorian England and that has held to this day.

To me it sounds like Heeyy, thaats some cheeesebergers from Mrs Chester Bergersteen.

You may not be a snob, but you sure are [Name calling snip - luv4u] ... Not the first post of yours that has been degrading to other people... Ive just kept my mouth shut until now...

.

[Edited 4/10/12 16:54pm]

[Edited 4/10/12 18:38pm]

morningsong said:

SUPRMAN said:

The United States has regional accents due to its size. Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern are the major one. I don't think there is a California/West Coast accent.

As Hawaii is part of the U.S. it isn't wrong to call it either Hawaiian (specific) or American (general.)

yuh-huh, cali's got an accent, however slight.

When a collapse in commodity prices followed World War I, many bankrupted Midwestern farmers migrated to California, bringing speech characteristic of Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa; and this speech type has dominated to this day.

Personally, I can't hear it but I've been told we do.

Those speakers would be in the 80's, 90's and older.

I doubt their grandchildren speak like they do.

Hard to tell one's own accent unless its pronounced.

We have clients nationwide and none of them seem to think they are speaking with an accent, although I hear it. It's not just their pronunciation.

tinaz said:

Adorecream said:

I know accents are diverse there, but here in NZ, we usually mean American to describe anyone from the 49 States, Alaska or Hawaii, even though America really extends from the Arctic wastes of North Canada to Cape Horn.

To us American accents are seen as very nasal, like the Australian and Mancunian/Cockney Accents of UK we see the American accents as annoying on lower ranking on the evolutionary scale (Along with our own working class/Maori Vernacular accent worlds like sweet as and churr), whereas we find the proper BBC English accent preferable.

We are not snobs here, but whereas Australia was mostly settled by English and Irish convicts, New Zealand was settled mostly by skilled English tradespeople and Middle class English and Scottish migrants, who came from prim and proper 1840s/1850s Victorian England and that has held to this day.

To me it sounds like Heeyy, thaats some cheeesebergers from Mrs Chester Bergersteen.

You may not be a snob, but you sure are [Name calling snip - luv4u] ... Not the first post of yours that has been degrading to other people... Ive just kept my mouth shut until now...

.

[Edited 4/10/12 16:54pm]

[Edited 4/10/12 18:38pm]

No Comment

[Edited 4/11/12 3:47am]

Shyra said:

vainandy said:

I've noticed that too. With the exception of The South and New York, the rest of the country sounds like a bunch of English teachers and you can hear all the "ing"s at the end of the words. It just don't sound natural. We don't be talking down here, we be talkin'.

Depends on the vernacular. Some "American" folk sound like they're speaking a different language entirely depending on what region of the United States the person hails. For instance, try talking to someone from the marshes of South Carolina, whom some folk call "Geechie" (sp) or Gullah, or some folk from the swamps of Louisiana, called Cajuns or Creole. Hell, even folk from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia can sound like they're speaking a different language. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be uppity, insulting or mean-spirited here. I find language and diction fascinating. At one time, I wanted to be an English teacher because I love words, written and spoken.

It's definitely regional and each Southern state has it's own accent. I'm in Mississippi and right next to us is Louisiana and a lot of them sound completely different than us. I've also noticed that when a movie or television show is made about Mississippi, they never have actors with true Mississippi accents. They end up sounding Georgian like "Designing Women".

Accents also vary from generation to generation. For instance, the word "aunt". I pronounce it as "ant" like the bug and a lot of people from my mother's generation pronounce it as "ain't" like "I ain't got no more money". Perfect example is listen to Opie on the Andy Griffith Show saying "Ain't Bee".