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I think many tend to exaggerate the level of regional differences in America. Sure, there are some significant differences, but it's nowhere close to the level
by TulliusCicero 8y ago
I think many tend to exaggerate the level of regional differences in America. Sure, there are some significant differences, but it's nowhere close to the level of difference of going to another country (except Canada).
For example, language wise, if someone was raised in the US, I probably can't tell at all where they're from, especially if they're younger and/or college educated. Regional accents are weak as hell in the states, on average.
I've lived in several regions in the US and never really got a feeling of being out of place or alien that I get sometimes visiting other countries.
- reaperducer 8y agoRegional accents are weak as hell in the states, on average. Then you haven't talked to many real locals when you travel. When I talk to my relatives in New York City (real native New Yorkers, not imported midwest poser hipsters), my wife from another part of the country can't understand a word we say. Siri is tuned to some California nuanced accent that means she can't understand my wife at all. I don't know how it understand people from Boston. (Again, real local people from Boston, not the imported flatlanders.) A friend of mine from a major east coast city went through years of training to get rid of his accent. He says it was the key to becoming a success in the radio industry.
- vpribish 8y agodude, your wife is exaggerating - excluding Gullah I don't think any range of American accents even approaches the mutual unintelligibility on that tiny island we seceded from. I've been from east to west in the US, downeast, new york, boston - these are no problem whatsoever for any Californian or Midwesterner.