June 14, 2005

No Excuse

I saw this book reviewed in the dead tree version of National Review yesterday: Being Dead is No Excuse : The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral. That led me to the GRITS book. I didn't know there was a book, you see. I'd bought a t-shirt for Nin one trip to the South, her being a "Girl Raised In The South" and all. Now I can get her the book and listen to her accent reappear.

It's actually amusing going to the South with Nin for a trip. Her accent, which is very faint normally, becomes quite strong. And if we're hanging with Tam, even I start losing my vowels. And, lord, don't let them in view of a Krispy Kreme!

Posted by Ithildin at June 14, 2005 10:11 AM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE

The famous Southern philosopher and humourist Mr. Lewis Grizzard said it best:

Southerners don't have accents. God talks like we do.

Posted by: docjim505 at June 14, 2005 10:15 AM

LOL!

Posted by: Ith at June 14, 2005 10:25 AM

I'm a So. Cal. native, only transplanted here to the South 5 years ago (tomorrow is the 5-year mark, actually). I've lived in most of the major "accent regions" in the country, and the South is easiest on the ears, hands down.

The funny (to me) thing is a result of my natural ability to pick up accents, speech patterns and such. To a new arrival here (like, say, the couple from Boston moving into the house next door) I can be indistinguishable from a native if I choose to be (I haven't managed to "pass" with the natives yet), but when I go to visit Mom in CA, the drawl gets dropped like a bad habit.

I really hope I never have to go back to live in or near Chicago; I don't want that noise coming out of my mouth ever again.

Posted by: Russ at June 14, 2005 11:14 AM

You wouldn't be losing your vowels -- exactly the opposite. Vowels R us, miss. We're Diphthong Central Station.

Posted by: Donnah at June 14, 2005 12:16 PM

Hey, I'm just repeating what I was told when I was in the WalMart and the moment happened :)

Posted by: Ith at June 14, 2005 12:19 PM

My accent is probably a lot stronger now, from being home with Mom. Getting a new job and moving would probably lessen it, unless I move somewhere more 'country'.

Posted by: eviltammy at June 15, 2005 12:44 PM

Tam, it is! If you get more country, I'll need a translator (j/k)

Posted by: Ith at June 15, 2005 12:50 PM

She did loose her vowels... It was quite funny

I've noticed that there are basically two versions of "Southern-Speak"...

The first is: "I'monlysayithfirhafotheworanI'mtalkinsofas,youeyearspinnin" (Or, for those who need translating: "I'm only saying the first half of the word and I'm talking so fast, you're eyes are spinning").

The other 'version' is: I'm talkinnnnnnnn sloooowww an there is nooo way yooou can speeeed meee uppp."

And, then there are subtle differences in accents. I don't know if I can still do it, but at one time, I could tell from what state in the South a person hailed from just by listening to them talk. It freaked quite a few people out when I was taking reservations on the phone for a hotel chain...

As for Krispy Kremes... I'm sorry, but the fresh donuts sign just came on! And, it was only a three lane highway!

Posted by: Ninjababe at June 20, 2005 6:54 PM