"There's a southern accent where I come from... the youngins call it country, the Yankees call it dumb."Yeah, I hear you, Tom Petty. I don't know what to make of this place. I'm a New England Yankee, and I'm never going to pass for a real Southerner. I walk too fast, talk too much, and I only have one first name. Here in the Southland, that just won't cut it.
My students, on the other hand... well, they are authentically southern. They've got two first names, and manipulative Southern-belle smiles (see photo)... they're the real deal.
Or are they? None of my students have a southern accent. They've got no drawl. They don't utter typically southern absurdities like, "We goin' ashootin', y'all." Yeah, that's how people talk here. But not my students. They were born and raised in a sea of Southern drawl, but they somehow escaped unscathed, sounding just like their Connecticut-born teacher. We're more alike than I care to acknowledge in front of them.
So... what does it mean to be truly Southern? Am I a Southerner simply because I live in the South? Are my students Southerners simply because they were born here? What about that Wendy's-turned-fast-food-BBQ-joint down the street? That's not authentic. I'm more authentic than that. Right?
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4 comments:
I think you have to have some real country folks or actual hillbillies in your family to ever count yourself as a Southerner. I am way more southern that you. I mean, it's not a contest, but you are SUCH a Yankee, and I'm really not.
My brother-in-law is from North Carolina.. I think he's Southern Baptist. Does that count, Miss Lynn?
i think it's probably more about the culture and traditions than the accent.
i mean, when i moved to seattle everyone was like, "wow, you don't *sound* like you are from boston."
but i'm a new englander for sure. always was. always will be. even if i leave again. it's in my blood.
It is a strange experience to live somewhere, but not be FROM that place. Especially when there are outward signals like an accent or cultural differences. It must be how minorities feel every day in this country. Like, I might be in a place, but I'll never be OF that place.
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