Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:11     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:Unless you are a native Washingtonian, there really is none. Some African Americans (more likely to be native Washingtonians rather than transplants) have a distinctive DC accent, but it's hard to describe. Swallowing of some vowel sounds is prevalent. Like saying "Murland" instead of "Maryland." Some Maryland people have a strange way of pronouncing vowel sounds as well. For example, instead of the long O sound in "photo," they'll say what sounds like "Fowto."


As a native Washingtonian (from DC proper) now in my 40's I am certain that this is a Maryland accent you are referring too NOT a DC accent. There is a bit of this that travels through some of the Eastern portions of DC into Maryland and up through and past Baltimore (that include the random R sounds, "uh" in place of a wuhter not water, er for the or fer not for, and long nasal sounding vowels particularly for a and o).
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:05     Subject: DC accent
My born-and-raised DC kids, now grown, say "I'm onna" or "I munna" in stead of "I'm going to", as well as "all-most" and "ohmost", each kid differently, for almost. We're white.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:05     Subject: DC accent
I grew up saying Warshington. Had to break that habit in college. Mid 40s, white.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:03     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless you are a native Washingtonian, there really is none. Some African Americans (more likely to be native Washingtonians rather than transplants) have a distinctive DC accent, but it's hard to describe. Swallowing of some vowel sounds is prevalent. Like saying "Murland" instead of "Maryland." Some Maryland people have a strange way of pronouncing vowel sounds as well. For example, instead of the long O sound in "photo," they'll say what sounds like "Fowto."


Very on point, except I would say that what you refer to as the AA accent extends to white people as well. It's like a mumble. I'm white. When I went away to college, people asked me why I was talking to myself or mumbling and I was like I am talking to YOU, what the hell are you talking about. Then, I went home from break and heard my parents mumbling to each other and burst out laughing and thought OMG - THAT is what I sound like to other people.

Example: "I'm going to" = "I munna"
"what are you doing?" = "whacho doin'?"

Yes, I am guilty of saying this probably every day. And I am a lawyer.


Also, there's something about vowels, particularly"o". It's a soft accent.

In my experience, it is a black accent, but some whites also have it.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:02     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My mom grew up here and she says "warshington."


I thought that was the poor part of MD?



I'm a native and I only hear this from people from way far over the bridge, like Easton MD or something. I think it's more a MD country thing.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:02     Subject: DC accent
I might add, you can tell southerners (includes D.C. for non-D.C. people) because they are not friendly. Much less friendly than other parts of the U.S.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:02     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless you are a native Washingtonian, there really is none. Some African Americans (more likely to be native Washingtonians rather than transplants) have a distinctive DC accent, but it's hard to describe. Swallowing of some vowel sounds is prevalent. Like saying "Murland" instead of "Maryland." Some Maryland people have a strange way of pronouncing vowel sounds as well. For example, instead of the long O sound in "photo," they'll say what sounds like "Fowto."


I say Maryland properly, but definitely do the "o" thing. My grandfather (a white Jew) always said Murland, Balmer for Baltimore and Itly for Italy.


Itly! lol

As an Italian, I've always found that funny. So long, A!


Washington used to have an Italian neighborhood. It was torn down when they built the convention center. There are plenty of native washingtonians who are white. the "DC" accent most people are mentioning so far is actually a Maryland accent. Baltimore and the Eastern Shore have it much more pronounced than we do up here. Not only the "o" thing but the letter R is pronounced "Are-a."
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:00     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:Southerners (and I mean Georgia, FL, etc) think I have a NY accent. wth?

My cousins in NY say we sound like Southerners! lol


ABSOLUTELY!
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 13:00     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:Unless you are a native Washingtonian, there really is none. Some African Americans (more likely to be native Washingtonians rather than transplants) have a distinctive DC accent, but it's hard to describe. Swallowing of some vowel sounds is prevalent. Like saying "Murland" instead of "Maryland." Some Maryland people have a strange way of pronouncing vowel sounds as well. For example, instead of the long O sound in "photo," they'll say what sounds like "Fowto."


Very on point, except I would say that what you refer to as the AA accent extends to white people as well. It's like a mumble. I'm white. When I went away to college, people asked me why I was talking to myself or mumbling and I was like I am talking to YOU, what the hell are you talking about. Then, I went home from break and heard my parents mumbling to each other and burst out laughing and thought OMG - THAT is what I sound like to other people.

Example: "I'm going to" = "I munna"
"what are you doing?" = "whacho doin'?"

Yes, I am guilty of saying this probably every day. And I am a lawyer.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 12:57     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:My mom grew up here and she says "warshington."


I thought that was the poor part of MD?

Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 12:56     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My mom grew up here and she says "warshington."


I grew up here, too, and do NOT pronounce it that way.

It's WASHington.



We're talking about accents, not the "right" way to pronounce something. That would be another thread.


You are a moron.

So, idiot, accents and pronunciations go hand in hand, as there's a difference btw WARSHington and WASHington.


ex:
12:39 - My NW born and raised DH says Warshington.



Why do you have to call someone a moron and an idiot to get your point across?
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 12:53     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My mom grew up here and she says "warshington."


I grew up here, too, and do NOT pronounce it that way.

It's WASHington.



We're talking about accents, not the "right" way to pronounce something. That would be another thread.


You are a moron.

So, idiot, accents and pronunciations go hand in hand, as there's a difference btw WARSHington and WASHington.


ex:
12:39 - My NW born and raised DH says Warshington.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 12:50     Subject: DC accent
Southerners (and I mean Georgia, FL, etc) think I have a NY accent. wth?

My cousins in NY say we sound like Southerners! lol
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 12:48     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My mom grew up here and she says "warshington."



My mom says that too and she grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. All of my aunts and uncles from Connecticut pronounce it that way.

I grew up in DC area and I didn't know anyone else that pronounced it that way.


Fwiw, my cousins from Conn. think my brother, sister and I have a slight southern accent. However, a couple of them sound like they are from the Jersey Shore. I think it is their mother's Rhode Island accent peeping out.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 12:48     Subject: DC accent
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My mom grew up here and she says "warshington."

Is she from Baltimore? Washingtonians don't say it that way.


My fourth generation Washingtonian mother does. I do not. We are white, BTW.