Inquiring Minds Want to Know...

[GLC1968]

Question: why would anyone want to get rid of an accent?

My husband grew up in the deep south and spent 7 years in the air force trying to lose his accent. He hated it. Now it's very faint. BUT, when he turns it on (which he can do at the drop of a hat), it freaks me out. He sounds so backwoods/unworldly/uneducated and frankly...scary. It's not the charming southern gentleman accent at all.

I knew a lot of people in Pennsylvania that said wash with the 'r'. I can't say whether or not they were natives, but it was very, very prevelant there.

[Possegal]

I knew a lot of people in Pennsylvania that said wash with the 'r'. I can't say whether or not they were natives, but it was very, very prevelant there.

When I said that is how it was said where I was from - I'm from Pittsburgh. My father said Warsh. My mother was Canadian and made sure we didn't speak like we were from Pittsburgh. So I like to say that Pittsburghese is not my native language, but I am fluent in it. If I had that accent, I'd do anything to lose it, as I feel it is about the worst accent in this country, and I've heard nearly all of them. Though I feel I must add that there is no city like the 'burgh, I love it still!!

[salsabike]

I like accents. It's funny how your perspective changes from adolescent (PLEASE DON'T LET ME STICK OUT IN ANY WAY) to adulthood. The world is already getting strip-malled enough for me. I like to hear the different accents and I love hearing "Jersey gal" or New Yorker out here in Washington--ah, the sounds of home.