That's: "Well, I do declare" translated into English from our Georgia accented English. J.T. is working with phonics this year, and it has really made me aware of how different dialects impact the rules about how we pronounce words. Words that rhyme elsewhere in the world, do not do so here in south Georgia. For example we say pen and pin exactly the same way. Also, Mary, merry and marry are pronounced no differently from each other. I really don't think I have a strong accent, but my northern friends and the people I talk to on the phone say I do. And when I'm reading blogs, I don't think about accents, unless someone throws in a phrase I don't hear on a daily basis: Macca's, mate, kindy, uni.
Abby, however, could teach Scarlett O'Hara a thing or two about the Georgia accent. She adds syllables to her words. Turning: What a mess! into Wah-ut a meyass! Wah-ere ARE we goin?
And BELIEVE ME, she's got the diva thing down, too. Her favorite saying of the moment is: Do you understand me? I've already told you THREE times..., No one cares! and I'm cross! Like we couldn't tell she's cross. If Abby is cross, everyone is going to suffer.
Her brother is much more the southern gentleman in personality. He says Ma'am and Sir and doesn't want anyone to get their feelings hurt. He volunteers to help with bags and a: Let me get that for you. Such a doll. Now if he would just rub off on his sister.
And now I'll share with you my very favorite southern saying: Just because I talk slow, doesn't mean I am slow. Oh and my mother-in-law's favorite saying: He doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Ya'll come back, ya hear?
Sparkly Street Family Update.
10 years ago
