Class Seeks to Rid Kids of Their Accents

associated Press ^ | 2/4/05 | By ROGER ALFORD

[PaRebel]

A point of curiosity: why is it that so many commercials use so-called southern accents? Rather than these kids from eastern Kaintuck losing their accent, perhaps others should lose their bias and prejudice. And yes, what happened to that God, diversity? Yes and how about some classes on changing accents of inner-city kids? Just imagine!

[shezza]

Not many announcers outside the area know how to pronounce Blytheville, Arkansas.

Try this one: Mexia, Texas (or for that matter, Bexar County)

[sweetliberty]

I am reminded of Jeff Foxworthy's souther words....

Sensuous: "Sensuous" up why don't you grab me a beer.

[sweetliberty]

"Not many announcers outside the area know how to pronounce Blytheville, Arkansas."

Try this one: Mexia, Texas (or for that matter, Bexar County)"

Or Martinez, GA.

Stainless, thought you might want to ping the list on this one.

[NCLaw441]

You said: Mispronouncing place names gets me. Not many announcers outside the area know how to pronounce Blytheville, Arkansas.
***
I can't pronounce it authoritatively. I think every state has its examples of this. On a related matter, when did we become forced to call the capital of China Beijing, instead of Peking? When I was growing up there was a guy named Mao Tse Tung, now he is Deng, or something like that. There are a few other examples of geographical names being changed to apparently reflect something closer to how the natives would pronounce it, but it is hardly consistent. No American pronounces the Paris, France as the French pronounce it, or Berlin as the Germans pronounce it. The same goes for any number of other geographical names. The rest of the country doesn't pronounce Boston or Baltimore as the residents of those cities do.
You have to wonder what causes these things. And don't try to serve me Beijing Duck.

[Oratam]

That piece reminds me of the story of the two Brooklynites discussing their dinner plans:

Brooklynite 1: "Jeet?"

Brooklynite 2: "No. Joo?"

God help us if we all aspire to sound like the bubbleheads on the evening news.

[Maria S]

Maybe these folks ought to first read 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry; it's age appropriate for grades 6 and up, so I'll bet they can figure it out. If you haven't yet read this easily read, amazingly complex novel, find a copy and read it.

It's about a utopian community where there are no choices about anything--no one even sees in color, only black and white. Where everyone has his or her place in the world assigned according to gifts and interests. How did such a terrible thing happen to this fictional bunch of people? Their apathy about 'differences' in mankind. Just easier to give up individuality to live in peace and harmony. Shows how much the individual loses of himself or herself for the collective good.

[Graybeard58]

And don't try to serve me Beijing Duck.

I ;ive in Pekin, Illinois.

[FITZ]

I'd rather they stop worrying about accented English and get kids speaking English.

[ops33]

I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. Now there's and accent!

[dix]

I get the point of the article, and when I was younger I was a little sensitive about my Texas accent. Over the years I came not to be so concerned about it, because I realized there are so many accomplished Texas anybody who thinks we are slow gives me an advantage.

I work for a group of Eastern Harvard business school grads, and I guarantee those boys don’t think there is anything slow about me, because of my colorful phrases, and my Texas accent.

[YankeeGirl]

NYC public school, mid-seventies, in speech class we were
made aware of our "noo-yawk" accents as contrasted with "standard" american english. There was no message that our pronounciation was "wrong", but we were given the tools to modify some of the more regional characteristics of our speech patterns if we wished.

Try doing that with an orthodontic appliance in your mouth! That said, never berl ersters in erl, or they'll spurl!

[cripplecreek]

No one with a southern accent has ever held a job?

[Graybeard58]

Public schools are corrupting our yutes.

[Fred Hayek]

I'm originally from "Joisey" (lived there for the first 33 years) but never really sounded "Joisey". More often I get placed around Texas (lived there for 12 years). I identify more with Texas than the Noo Yawk damyankees. Or Minnesota (where nothing is allowed) for that matter.

[lyby]

"I love accents. Lets people know immediately where youre from. Alabama is my favorite"


Why, thank you, from Alabama via the mountains of Virginia! I enjoy listening to folks' accents, too. Accents are intriquing. As a former teacher in rural Southwest VA, I encouraged students to learn/use "correct" grammar and pronunciations so they would have a choice. Although circumstances may influence how I speak, I do so enjoy being the "Southern Belle."

[Graybeard58]

Or Minnesota (where nothing is allowed) for that matter.

Except mosquitos as big as condors.

[TalBlack]

"There is nothing sweeter on this earth than hearing a West Virginia girl speak. Leave it alone."

I don't know but I think that that sweetness may be a bit broader. Some of them Texas Belles are pretty easy to listen to. And a Georgia girl of my acquaintance can make you forget your name just listening to her voicemail greeting---literally!

The right sort of drawl riding the right sort of voice can hit a guy like perfume and moonlight.

[mountaineer]

I remember reading once that Pittsburghese was considered one of the "worst" (least pleasant sounding) accents, second only to Cockney. A verbal duel between a Kentuckian and a yunzer might be entertaining - lots of "Huh? What did he say?"