I can understand that the traditional Southern drawl and certain words sound strange to people who grew up in other states. What I find difficult to grasp is the tendency of Damned Yankees, you know, the ones who come and stay, to have the audacity to move to the South and then comment on how their neighbors, “talk so funny”. That is just one of their annoying ways. I have been in many states and have never known a Southerner to go to New York and comment to the natives on how strange the people sound to him. Why is it that so many Northerners cannot pronounce the word “saw” anyway? That is just one example I could mention. I have spoken to people in every state on the telephone and some of those who are the most difficult to understand are in New York City. Many of them sound as if they are trying to decide just how to commit suicide, people in West Virginia or even in prison sound happier. One in about five hundred will say that he cannot understand me and that is usually someone who makes Marlon Brando as the godfather sound like Ronald Reagan by comparison so it is hard to say whether he said, “I can’t understand you” or Mary had a little lamb. On the other hand I have had many comments such as, “Where are you calling from, you have such a great voice and I love your accent.” Personally I think everyone is beginning to sound the same and I hate it, I like regional accents.
“I can understand that the traditional Southern drawl and certain words sound strange to people who grew up in other states.”
I lived in TN for 2 years and only once did I have a problem understanding someone. A friend and I were driving to Memphis for a hunting trip and we pulled over at a convenience store and I jump out to ask directions. The guy behind the counter had a drawl so thick I asked him to repeat the directions. I thanked him and went back to the car. My friend asked “what did he say” and I answered, “I have no idea”.