Before I joined the Army, I spoke straight California surfer. Since being posted in Kentucky, however, I have started to pick up a noticeable Kentucky twang. I'm not trying to fit in, or anything, it's just kinda happening. What's with that?
2006-09-20 17:06:11 · 5 answers · asked by Incorrectly Political 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It's a great question. I know exactly what you're talking about because when I lived in Canada for a time, I acquired an accent similiar to the accent of the place I was living. When I returned home to my American family, they laughed at me!
The way we speak is a very subtle reflection of what groups we want to be identified with. Even though you aren't consciously making an effort to fit in, unconsciously you apparently want to be identified with the culture you're currently living in now. Actually, even people who have lived in one place their whole lives have different accents that they use at different times depending on their situation, their audience, and what they're talking about.
The field that studies this question is called sociolinguistics. If you're interested, check it out!
2006-09-20 19:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Totally normal .. You are getting along and adapting with the new environment. It is like living in Texas for number of years and then move to Alaska. Your body will take time to adapt but it will adapt.
I used to speak british english from where I came from, but moving to the states number of years ago, My english tongue started to fade out and now it's almost gone, it's just a casual NYer accent !!
Maybe I'll take a trip to the mid west and see how quickly I would pick up the cowboys accent .. lol
2006-09-21 00:42:34 · answer #2 · answered by Duda .. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to identify with the local people. Like have u noticed that each state has a different varience on slang also. I am an ohioan, and when we moved all the way to Las Vegas, I picked up there accent and slang, and still sometimes use it even though I am back in my home state.
2006-09-21 01:23:00 · answer #3 · answered by LadyRaven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It happens to everyone. Some people adapt their speech to the local dialect more quickly than others. But you usually retain some of your original dialect.
2006-09-21 00:15:11 · answer #4 · answered by Taivo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans aren't all that sophisticated. We mimic our surroundings. We adapt to our environment. So when you need to communicate you're trying to learn the best way to do that.
So now instead of dating a California girl, you'll probably be more attracted to your sister!
2006-09-21 02:23:03 · answer #5 · answered by GobleyGook 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋