Don't they want to assimilate with the rest of their new community? Why would a Yank want to live in Atlanta and keep his NY accent?
2006-08-14 14:59:10 · 13 answers · asked by Avatar1 1 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
It's not that they don't want to change the accent/dialect. It's already ingrained into their mind, like an instinct. It's very, very hard to change. Besides, accents can brighten up your otherwise dull days...
2006-08-14 15:05:44 · answer #1 · answered by moleman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That statement is very small-minded. There are some reasons why some people won't change their accents regardless of geography. One reason has to do with the people you are around. The rule is you are a product of your environment. Persons who live and interminlge with persons like themselves regardless of region are going to to act and talk a certain way regardless of geography. If a person does not intermingle with the local populace, then that person is definately going to have a different accent than the local populace. I know a person who came to the United States of America from Poland in 1991 at the age of six and lived in the metro Atlanta area ever since. He still has a Polish accent. Part of the reason may have to do with the fact that his parents may have not intermingled much with the locals and my friend was often among family when not at school, therefore, his Polish accent is still visible. Some people keep their old accent because it is a part of who they are and they don't want to change no matter what other people, otherwise known as non-conformism. The people you associate with and preference has plenty to do with it. I was born in New Orleans, lived in Texas and the Seattle area before I moved to the south for good in 1992. I am 20 years old and I don't even have close to a southern accent. I wasn't raised with it and I was always around different types of people. I don't even use the word "y'all". It depends on how you are raised and your preferences.
2006-08-15 21:15:45 · answer #2 · answered by liker_of_minnesota 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend from Scotland she has lived here for 24 years >I asked her one day how come her accent was still as broad as day she came here .Her answer was she never found one (accent )that she liked better.LoL so there u go one persons great answer for you.Just because u live here and this new country is now ur home .You can still keep something u where born with .i believe u should learn the language but keep ur accent if you want ,I would have to learn their language if different from mine .
2006-08-14 22:13:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't seem to realize changing an accent is not like changing your underware. People speak that way because that is what they learned as children. Changing that is very difficult. Besides, why should they, what's the big deal anyhow?
2006-08-14 22:06:40 · answer #4 · answered by MadforMAC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some people do want to change and some don't. Who knows what the reasons are. Its a matter of personal preference -- fit in or stand out!
2006-08-14 22:10:38 · answer #5 · answered by firstyearbabyboomer 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because he is who he is you don't have to give up the essence of who you are to fit in ,variety is the spice of life. Atlanta is a huge diverse city so he won't feel out of place. take the restaurants in Atlanta they are not all southern cooking but a diverse mix.
2006-08-14 22:11:50 · answer #6 · answered by evian 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's extremely difficult to change an accent.
2006-08-14 22:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by Nat 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that's not a decision we can make...to other countries we have an accent and they don't.....same with the states...i'm in california....so if you come here to live you would speak as we do ? and i'm from south dakota...came here many years ago and still have that...........interesting question though..
2006-08-14 22:41:58 · answer #8 · answered by Happy Summer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because that's who that person is. Do you change yourself according to the people you are around or are you true to yourself and act like yourself? Don't you think there are enough "fake" people walking around??
2006-08-14 22:06:43 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Stacy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Over time it changes. Just like it can't be prevented, it can't be forced. If I moved to Texas I wouldn't always change my voice to sound like I was originally from there. Why would anyone?
2006-08-14 22:05:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋