Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
Can a Southern accent resurface later in life?
Hi there
Now that I'm in my mid-30s I've noticed my slight Southern drawl has begun to get stronger - especially when I sing, or if I've had a few drinks, or god forbid both! I spoke with a pronounced accent before the age of 6 (as evidenced by some hilarious audio interviews my dad did with us when we were little) but quickly suppressed it once I started attending public school - even in suburban Atlanta, a Southern accent is ruthlessly ridiculed.
Is it at all common for accents to re-emerge over time? Here's the twist, I've lived in the UK for nearly 10 years now - so it's not like I'm being influenced by the accents I hear on a daily basis (though I do listen to and play quite a bit of alt-country music). Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a commonly accepted explanation?
Now that I'm in my mid-30s I've noticed my slight Southern drawl has begun to get stronger - especially when I sing, or if I've had a few drinks, or god forbid both! I spoke with a pronounced accent before the age of 6 (as evidenced by some hilarious audio interviews my dad did with us when we were little) but quickly suppressed it once I started attending public school - even in suburban Atlanta, a Southern accent is ruthlessly ridiculed.
Is it at all common for accents to re-emerge over time? Here's the twist, I've lived in the UK for nearly 10 years now - so it's not like I'm being influenced by the accents I hear on a daily basis (though I do listen to and play quite a bit of alt-country music). Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a commonly accepted explanation?
Top answer
Anonymous Is there a commonly accepted explanation? Old age? Second childhood?
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AnonymousIs there a commonly accepted explanation?Old age? Second childhood? Nostalgia? It seems to me that I have heard of this, but I've never heard a convincing explanation. I assume it's something psychological.
CJ
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