Posted on 03/19/2015 8:46:13 AM PDT by I still care
I find accents fascinating. I come from “Lawnguyland” and I can tell you people born BEFORE about 1950 have that very strong NY - Brooklyn sound. People born before 1980 still don’t say their “r”s (awwwsss) :) and other classic Nyorkisms but you won’t catch them saying “boid” like the real old Brooklynites.
After 1980 a lot of the accent disappears. But Long Island accent is noteworthy because it has the longest vowel sounds of almost any American regional accent. For instance, the word “bad” is broken up into two syllables - although most LIers don’t realize it until you call it to their attention.
Another of my faves is that we pronounce marry, Mary, and merry differently - the middle of the country pronounces them all the same. We also say, We live ON the island - most other folks will say they live IN an island or wait IN line - we wait ON line.
I have a very strong accent and come in for a lot of friendly abuse here in the South - just asking for a cup of CAAWWWfee sends people into fits.
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