*** Call it a drawl or a twang, but one of the primary hallmarks of Southern American English (SAE) is a melodic, relaxing quality. A marketing firm conducted a survey of global English accents, and the Southern accent was voted the most pleasant.***
Last summer I was visiting family in my hometown (Gainesville, FL), but we stayed at a nearby hotel because it is a large family, and no longer room to hold all of us. As I exited one day, I was chatting with a gentlemen while my husband pulled the car around for us. He told me that I had a very pleasant accent, and wanted to know where I was from. He was very surprised when I said, “Here!” I guess my Southern accent has become a blend of Southern and Midwestern. Still, he said it was most pleasant, and it very much seemed genuine when he said so.
Siri still doesn’t understand me though, so I don’t often use voice to text. Too many corrections need to be made.
(Oh, and check my tagline.) ;-)
Also, my husband is from Long Island, and he insists these words are all pronounced differently: merry, marry, and Mary. For me they are all pronounced the same. When he says them, they do sound slightly different. He can tell which one I mean based on context.
It’s a funny thing, but we just agree to disagree on this.
The last company I worked for had a receptionist that had the absolute most pleasant voice I’ve ever heard - very Virginian. I have always been partial to that region’s accent.