accent video!

I first saw this over at susannahbean (and loved listening to her accent b/c it sounds so familiar - that's what I grew up with all around me!), but after I saw it over at bethanyactually, I wanted to do one too.

I was born in California (lived there until I was 7ish), grew up in northern Illinois, and have lived in the mid-south (Kentucky* and Tennessee) for almost 9 years now. when you hear my voice you will be surprised to hear that I have actually *toned down* my accent in my everyday speech haha! I kind of perked it up a little for the video though, b/c when I am really being myself I do talk in a very Illinois accent... but when I'm at work and such, people don't respond to me very well if I sound like a yankee... and that is the truth!

I went to my mom's to do this video and told her if she wouldn't leave the room, she had to be in it... so... she is in it for the second part. :)

northern Illinois accent from aspenglow on Vimeo.

this was fun to do, having lived in two very different areas of the US, accents & linguistics have interested me for a long time -- I'm always asking people how they say this or that - or what they call things. it's really interesting!

the question about fizzy drinks got to me b/c the last time I was in Illinois -- land of POP! I called it soda at a restaurant, completely naturally and without hesitation... it was then I knew I had really adapted to life in the south!

I think we should pronounce Louisville, bag, awesome, and socks as well. I got a lot of teasing for the way I said socks when I first moved to Nashville!

*when I lived in Kentucky, I worked as a receptionist at a car dealership... I honestly got such a strong accent that my sister didn't recognize my voice when she called me at work once. I can do many different southern accents, but I feel like it's not who I am so I stick to my northern one, now :) also, many people in Kentucky have very, very strong accents even though they are further north than Tennessee. just fyi ;)