Too Early?

[baymule]

@Smart Red we actually have several languages here in southeast Texas. We have American English, Texan Redneck, Southern Slang, Spanish AKA-Tex-Mex, French, Cajun, Creole, and Plain 'Ol Ignert Good 'Ol Boys. Several of those languages have variances in pronunciation depending on the amount of beer or whiskey consumed.

 

[Smart Red]

I know how you learn to speak, but hou du ya larn ta spel wen ya cain't heer tha lettr sownz?

 

[digitS']

# #words (link) that (link) ramble# #

 

[TheSeedObsesser]

ZIN-ee-ah

But then, I live in the Midwest where national news anchors were once sent to broadcasting schools to learn "English".

I've always wondered how ya'll learn to spell when the words come out so differently and certainly not phonetically. I rather thought New Englanders and Southerners must be extra smart to be able to say a word one way and spell it another. Spelling in the Midwest was more than I could handle; I was tied to my dictionary as a student.

I pronounce "zinnia" that way too.

I've pronounced Houston as "hyoo-ston" all my life. Just a few days ago my history teacher was talking to the class about Midwestern dialect. I was blown away when he said that the folks further up north around the great lakes (his area) pronounce Houston as "house-ton."

 

[catjac1975]

I pronounce "zinnia" that way too.

I've pronounced Houston as "hyoo-ston" all my life. Just a few days ago my history teacher was talking to the class about Midwestern dialect. I was blown away when he said that the folks further up north around the great lakes (his area) pronounce Houston as "house-ton."

I am from NE and we pronounce it as you do.

 

[Smart Red]

I pronounce "zinnia" that way too.

I've pronounced Houston as "hyoo-ston" all my life. Just a few days ago my history teacher was talking to the class about Midwestern dialect. I was blown away when he said that the folks further up north around the great lakes (his area) pronounce Houston as "house-ton."

And all these years I thought it was HEW stun.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Something I've noticed is that the local pronunciation of a place is often a lot different that the national pronunciation. Since yesterday was Mardi Gras, I'll use New Orleans. The local pronunciation is nor-luns. Two syllables with the first syllable barely accented. How do you pronounce it?

 

[Smart Red]

Huph! That's a good one. I think I have two ways of pronouncing it. One when it begins a sentence and one further in the sentence. For example, new-or-LEENZ or new OR lee enz.

new or LEENZ is an old city. I love visiting new OR lee enz during Mardi Gras.

 

[ducks4you]

Smart Red, that is phonics. The pronunciation of a place is considered to be how the locals pronounce the name. In Illinois, "Cairo" is prounced, "K-ro", like the sweet corn syrup bc the people that live there call it so. It is a matter of respect for them.

 

[bobbi-j]

I pronounce "zinnia" that way too.

I've pronounced Houston as "hyoo-ston" all my life. Just a few days ago my history teacher was talking to the class about Midwestern dialect. I was blown away when he said that the folks further up north around the great lakes (his area) pronounce Houston as "house-ton."

Interesting - everyone I know here in MN pronounces it HEW-stun...

How about peonies? pee-OH-knees, PEE-knees, or PEEa-knees?