PINPOINT YOUR DIALECT

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Article in New York Times-- "How Y'All, You Guys, and Youse Talk". I cannot link because of controversial side bars, but do google if you want to take the questionaire.

I've taken this sort of test before, but this one was far more precise. Although I spent most my formative years in Canada, our nearest cluster of U.S. T.V. stations was from Buffalo, and constantly beamed into every southern Ontario household. The quiz said my way of speaking was closest in the U.S. to those of Buffalo, Rochester and Aurora, Illinois. Bingo!

In the past, when I've taken a test to see how close they could pinpoint my dialect, they always put me in the general "Great Lakes" dialect category.

They ask both pronunciation questions ("how do you pronounce Mary, marry, merry," etc.) and choice of word questions ("what do you call rubber soled shoes", etc.)

It's quick and fun, and in my case, eerily accurate.

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

My results were accurate. Exactly where I live.

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Wow, @Janey2-- neat!

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

It got my general area of the country right, too.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

Don't know why mine wasn't accurate. It indicated my dialect was heavily used in Nebraska and Kansas. I'm from SW Pennsylvania.

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Oh, how interesting, @Allegheny. In these kinds of analyses, it's as interesting when they don't get it right, as it is when they do! Would love to know what factors were at play.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

Mine pinpointed me in the Yonkers New York, and NJ area.

i live in South Central PA.

Close, but no cigar.

I am familiar with NY and NJ accents, and I do not speak like that.

I have always had people who were confused about my accent...everywhere I go. My DH's accent is very strong and different than mine. We grew up in the same community.

I think because of my job in communications, I learned to lose the slang.