[T-Bird45]

I find accents, dialect, and language to be fascinating so this article was quite interesting, especially when you consider that many make a connection or assumption from how one speaks to their general intelligence. That is a mistake as far as SP is concerned, IMO.

[LibFreeUSA]

At least it’s not one of the ‘Kennedy elitist’ NE types.

[Perdogg]

I thought it was a NJ (southern Jersey/Philly) accent the first time I heard it.

[boocoowell]

If people hear Margie from “Fargo” in her voice, that’s a plus. Who doesn’t love that character?

[P8riot]

She sounds just like my sister-in-law from North Dakota. As a matter of fact, when I first heard Palin speak I thought it was her.

[unspun]

It is definitely similar to accents in northern Wisconsin and the UP — not quite as much like Minnesota.

And, it’s one of them most delightful things I’ve heard in quite a while.

[gleeaikin]

Here is an interesting link regarding Palins accent, style, and delivery. And people’s reactions both pro and con.

http://webmail.aol.com/39155/aol/en-us/Suite.aspx

[Paradox]

Whatever it is, its cute. Kind of annoyingly cute. Awww heck, I have a confession to make, I think Sarah is cute. I mean, I still think she will make a GREAT VP, and then some.. but she is still cute..

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

An Alaskan accent? Wherever could she have developed that? (/sarc)

To my ear, she sounds remarkably like the character Pickles in the animated Cartoon Network show "Metalocalypse".

[TexasCajun]

I plan on placing her accent in the White House!

[3AngelaD]

I can place it precisely. She is Enid Loopner from the old Saturday Night Live sketch, Lisa Loopner’s mother. If you can find the refrigerator repairman skit video, Jane Curtin (Mrs. Loopner) even has her hair done like Mrs. Palin’s hair. It might be here: http://www.hulu.com/watch/4112/saturday-night-live-nerds-broken-fridge

[Tarpon]

I find Gov Palin’s accent decidedly AMERCIAN. Not sure what country Obama’s accent represents. Chicago thug-land maybe?

I have a question — Why is an association with David Duke, different than an association with Rev Wright?

Anyone want to take a shot at answering ...

[Dixie Yooper]

Sarah Palin talks just like a Yooper girl!

[Peelod]

Pacific Northwest English

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest_English

[J40000]

Please! DON’T confuse Sarah Palin’s ‘accent’ (I hardly notice any) with TINA FEY’S ‘Fargo’ accent!

It’s SARAH, NOT Tina who’s running for VP.

[gleeaikin]

I did the link for Comment #8 wrong.

Hopefully this is the correct link, an interesting article about Palin’s accent, style, delivery. And why people love her or hate her. I’m still learning computer use.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/style/features/2008/rhetoric/gallery.html

[gitmogrunt]

Wisconsin accent all the way.

[meowmeow]

She sounds like my husband's aunt in Minnesota

Sewwwww, when r you kids cummin to visit me, eh?

[redhead]

"I find accents, dialect, and language to be fascinating so this article was quite interesting, especially when you consider that many make a connection or assumption from how one speaks to their general intelligence. That is a mistake as far as SP is concerned, IMO."

The original settlers in the Matanuska Valley were farmers from the Upper Midwest in the "Matanuska Experiment" (paragraph 3). It's no wonder she sounds like she came from Wisconsin or North Dakota.

[AnalogReigns]

Sounds like Wisconsin to me—and though I love Sarah—can’t say I’m thrilled with the accent.

I’m partial to educated Southern accents myself...but to each his own.

[GoLightly]

Our first teachers are our parents & we learn many of their speech mannerisms before we're out & about in the world. I believe our maternal lines have greater influence than paternal line.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/palin.htm

The Fargo twang is common (in several flavors) in the upper Midwest. Its lilt comes from a strong Scandinavian influence. I can hear some Midwest influence in her accent, but it's not a pure Midwestern accent.