Why do people assume people with a southern accent are unintelligent?

Question

When traveling around the country, I have found people, mainly from the north east, treat me as if I am unintelligent because of my Texas accent. I consider the Texas accent to be much less "southern" sounding than the true deep south accent, Mississippi, Georgia, etc. Some actually have laughed at me when I said y'all. I have a master's degree, and the last person that laughed at me was a gas station attendent. Does that seem right to Y'ALL?

Answer 1

My theory is that it can all be summed up to a stereotype. The south is portrayed in movies and television as a backward place. The people are inbred and racist. They are either slave owners or trailer park dwellers. People fail to realize that the space program is based entirely in the south. Not to mention some of the nation's finest schools, hospitals, art museums, science centers, etc. It is just like any stereotype, be it that black men are criminals, asians can't drive, it is just wrong and small minded.

Answer 2

Thank the US Government and the National Education Departments studies that rank each state. The south places very low on the list. coupled with the history of the South - people arrive at this assumption. Of course each person proves right or wrong on a case by case basis. (I am trying very hard to spell correctly so MY state will be proud - LOL.)
Using an accent may set yourself up for laughs - due to popular comics (Red Necks, Blue Collar, etc.)
The North East is home to a stereotype of upper crust snobbery due to Harvard and Yale, Boston, etc. which they deal with too.
Out here in California - everyone thought I was a doobie'smokin' surfer when I arrived on my ship in the Navy, hardly the case.
The whole country has stereotypes.

Answer 3

I dig ya' Hagar. I have some wonderful friends who are from Texas. Texas is very different from the rest of the "deep South."
It is more Southwest than anything, and has it's own accent. Also, stereotyping of any race, sex, group, culture, ethnicity, or political party is disgusting. I know this is over used, but why can't we all just get along?!? Why can't we all just live and let live?

Answer 4

Stereotypical thinking associates all slow speaking, soft talking Southerners with the hillbillies of Lil Abner, Gran Ol Opery, and Beverly Hillbillies on TV. The slow speech of Southerners is associated with people who speak slowly because they think slowly. Rapidity of speech is not correlated to speed of thought. People from colder climes move faster to get back to the fire. Slow movement is associated with slow thought. Hierarchical society in the South put most educational emphasis on the more affluent part of society leaving less well educated people in the poorer strata. There are always many more poor than rich.
Hang tough Texas; I'd much rather hear "you all" than "youse guys".

Answer 5

Many Yankees have been skinned while dealing with Texans because they assume someone with a southern regional accent is unintelligent. Let them think what they want. Their speech is unlovely and lacks poetry.
Y'all take care. Hear?

Answer 6

I think many people from the south talk slow, giving the impression that they are slow.

I am actually surprised there still is a Texas accent, there are so few actual natives of Texas who live there and so many transplants. Having lived there for a while and visited several times, I met few people who were actually from Texas.

But I still have my old T-shirt....If God had meant for Texans to ski.... I am sure you know the rest.

I picked up drawl living in Virginia, my son is now in georgia, can't wait for him to pick up a drawl. I love it.

Well Y'all have a good night now, Ya hear?

Answer 7

I am from Mississippi and I talk so fast I have to slow down to be understood sometimes. Also, I've lived all over and always get told I don't sound like a southerner.

Answer 8

Southerner's have always had the sterotype for being ignorant and dumb. If you see something long enough, you start to believe it. I'm from the South, too and it irritates me when people make fun of my accent or when I say Y'all, too.

Answer 9

At least it isn't offensive to the ear like most north eastener's accents. A southern accent is like a warm breeze to me. Especially from a beautiful southern Belle!

Answer 10

I don't. It's an accent and I happen to like Southern Accents very much.