What Kind Of American English Do You Speak?

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:02 pm

I had found this link to a site that has a test to determine your linguistic profile, after reading Constantine's post, I thought it might be fun to add.

Heres my profile:

45% General American English
40% Yankee
10% Dixie
5% Upper Midwestern
0% Midwestern

Give it a try:

http://www.blogthings.com/amenglishdialecttest/

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:36 pm

35% General American English
30% Yankee
15% Dixie
15% Upper Midwestern
5% Midwestern

...and here's mine. (No wonder I can't understand myself!!)

Nancie · Post by **Nancie** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:39 pm

that's fun Susan! I'm half General and half Yankee.
makes sense to me! Thanks for diversion

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:54 pm

Cool find Susan!

I'm:

55% General American English
30% Yankee
15% Dixie
0% Midwestern
0% Upper Midwestern

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:23 pm

50% Yankee
25% General American English
10% Dixie
10% Upper Midwestern
0% Midwestern

It doesn't seem from the number of choices for each question that one could be 100% anything.

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:25 pm

Your Linguistic Profile:
55% Yankee
20% Dixie
20% General American English
5% Upper Midwestern
0% Midwestern

Very fun!

I am surprised.... I lived in Boston when I first moved to the USA but I have lived in the Midwest longer!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:27 pm

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English
20% Dixie
20% Yankee
0% Midwestern
0% Upper Midwestern

I have no midwestern. I haven't really travelled the midwest.
Born in PA, but lived in Florida off and on for almost 40 years. There's no sign of my living in California!
Thanks, Susan!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:36 pm

Auds, your's is very interesting since you were not raised in the U.S.A. I think where you were raised is the strongest factor.

May I ask where you learned English?

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:39 pm

I thought I would have more 'Dixie' in me...

Your Linguistic Profile:
65% General American English
10% Dixie
10% Upper Midwestern
10% Yankee
5% Midwestern

Tracy...

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:53 pm

Until you, Tracy- I was the highest percentage of General American Usage.
Did you move around a lot?
We did.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:02 pm

So far Chris and Audrey are the only two where General American is not the major usage.

How interesting.

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:09 pm

I learned English in my school, then some in The Sorbonne and also in Gstaad.

Mainly though, I would say I learned it by using it once I moved here.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:18 pm

Your Linguistic Profile:
70% General American English
15% Dixie
5% Midwestern
5% Upper Midwestern
5% Yankee

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:28 pm

Thanks Auds. That helps explain the Yankee influence since you have said that you had lived in Boston.

It will be interesting to see how other Yankees do on that test.

Calling Mark, Lyddie and Gramma and all other New Englanders.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:33 pm

I moved around a little...but not much. What moving around I did was when I was very young.

From birth to 4- -Utah
From 4 to 5- -Montana
From 5 to 6- -Colorado
From 6 to present- -Utah

I wonder why we scored the way we did ?

Tracy...

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 3:25 am

And now Allen at 70%

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:25 am

I don't know if this would really have anything to do with it, but I live in the upper Northern Panhandle of West Virginia or the Ohio Valley however you want to look at it. I'm literally only minutes away from two state borders. I could be in either Pennsylvania or Ohio in five minutes. People in this area spend a lot of time traveling between three states. I have not noticed any sort of an accent in this area of my state. But the farther into downstate West Virginia you go you run into the southern accents. My husband was surprised when he found his biological mother who only lives four hours away in downstate West Virginia, and she has a strong southern accent, as do his three sisters.

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:13 am

They have some fun stuff to do there...

My "naughty movie" name would be "Sweetest Sin"

Smudgeman · Post by **Smudgeman** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:55 am

That was fun Susan, thanks. I scored:
65% General American English
30% Dixie
5% Yankee
0% Midwestern
0% Upper Midwestern

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and have lived here all my life.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 10:05 am

Audrey @ Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:13 am wrote:They have some fun stuff to do there...

My "naughty movie" name would be "Sweetest Sin"

I took some of the other tests as well. While I won't post some of the results, they were a real hoot

.

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.
An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.
You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view.
A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 2:26 pm

I took the "Normal" test and found out I was 60% Normal, which they claim is a "Normal Amount Of Normal."

My age I act at is 27.

Hey Scott! The highest in General American English usuage! I always considered Atlanta the Hub of the Universe. And anytime we take a plane from down south we usually have to go through Atlanta. I think the truckers go thru / near there to get anywhere east and south as well.

Allen, that makes sense that you have the high General American English Usuage living in a Tri-State area!

I've lived in PA, Maryland, Texas, California, Massachusetts and Florida. The longests stints were in California, Mass. and Florida.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:53 pm

This is scary. I think I probably got some lucky guesses.
You Are Incredibly Logical

(You got 100% of the questions right)

Move over Spock - you're the new master of logic
You think rationally, clearly, and quickly.
A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer!

You Are 75% Normal
(Really Normal)

Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal
You're like most people most of the time
But you've got those quirks that make you endearing
You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!

What Age Do You Act?

You Are 27 Years Old
27

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:39 pm

Well, Harry, I'm trying to hang on to my Yankee lingo as much as I can. More and more people around here say "basement" now instead of "cellar" and even the ones who use the word cellar don't much say "I'm going down cellar" anymore. I do. Always have.

More and more I'm saying "shopping cart" instead of "carriage," but I checked "carriage" on the test because that's what I've called it for most of my life.

I'm proud to be a Yankee, but I do try to pronounce my Rs. People coming into the Visitors Center from other parts of the country ask why I don't say "pahk the cah" because that's how we're supposed to talk here.

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:51 pm

Gee, this one is actually accurate! Most days, give or take the occasional bone scream, I feel just about twenty-six years old!

Nancie · Post by **Nancie** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:51 pm

That site is addicting and fun! Too bad though I'm going to die at age 67, I have an obsessive personality disorder, and I'm only 60% normal.

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 6:06 pm

There are three things which are real:
God, human folly, and laughter;
While the first two are beyond our comprehension,
We must do what we can with the third.
-ancient Irish proverb

Faith and begorrah - me "inner European" be Irish!!

Erin go Bragh!!!

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 6:24 pm

I will live to be 91 (I hope not!)

I am 50% normal...

I am Your 93.33% Female, 6.67% Male. (No shocks there)

I am mentally 27, which is close to my real age anyway.

As a flirt.. I am charismatic.... Hmmmmmm

Nancie · Post by **Nancie** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 7:13 pm

i'm only 73% female, no wonder I can't get me
a good man!

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:00 pm

Okay, the good news, I guess, is I'm living to be 82.

The bad news is the results of the other tests are so screwy that I'm not even going to post them.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 11:36 pm

Nancie @ Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:51 pm wrote:That site is addicting and fun! Too bad though I'm going to die at age 67, I have an obsessive personality disorder, and I'm only 60% normal.

Oh Nancie! You are too funny!!

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 12:23 am

Hmmm... apparently I'm to have another 45 and a half years or thereabouts, to 85 years of age. (It's gotta be that "inner Irish" thing, hehe.) As for the rest of those tests... that's all I have to say about that!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 1:54 am

You Will Die at Age 85
85
Congratulations! You take good care of yourself.
You're poised to live a long, healthy life.

--I'd better start saving my money!

DougOh, you must be eating your fruits and veggies, right?

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 8:48 am

Well somewhat...

(Not yet today, but I'll get 'round to it.) I suspect owning a dog may do wonders.

Golaszewski · Post by **Golaszewski** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:10 pm

Your Linguistic Profile:

80% General American English
10% Upper Midwestern
5% Midwestern
5% Yankee
0% Dixie

This test actually described me well. I have always lived in Michigan. And, in my younger days I watched a *lot* of TV, thus this would explain my language being heavily General American English.

Golaszewski · Post by **Golaszewski** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:21 pm

Allen @ Sat Apr 16, 2005 11:05 am wrote:I took some of the other tests as well. While I won't post some of the results, they were a real hoot .

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

http://blogthings.com/intelligencequiz.html

Same here. Little surprise as philosophy is what I studied in college.

Golaszewski · Post by **Golaszewski** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:27 pm

Your Brain is 20.00% Female, 80.00% Male

You've got the brain of a manly man
Feelings, schmeelings... tears aren't for you.
You could break both legs and not get misty eyed.
A great problem solver, nothing ever phases you.
----
That's me.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 4:15 pm

Why do you have a chubby long-haired Angel Avatar?

(I always wanted to ask you)...

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 4:23 pm

hmmmmm

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence...

Golaszewski · Post by **Golaszewski** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 4:50 pm

Kat @ Sun Apr 17, 2005 5:15 pm wrote:Why do you have a chubby long-haired Angel Avatar?
(I always wanted to ask you)...

That's not an angel, but instead a fairy. Long before I ever found this forum, I have used avatars that are fairies. For no particularly good reason other than I like images of fairies. My usual avatar is what I have on the home page of my site:

http://www.dextromethorphan.ws/

[WARNING: This is a harm reduction website about recreational use of dextromethorphan. For those who would find this objectionable, you should NOT go to this site, or my other website coricidin.org. These sites contain some pretty grisly news accounts of murders committed by people high on DXM (destromethorphan). Including a recent one where the murder was sentenced to death after killing and cutting out the hearts of his estranged wife and 2 children. (Then again, I guess that people on these forums are not overly phased about crimes involving violent murders.)]

I also have a fairy image on the home page of coricidin.org. As I wasn't able to compress the fairy image small enough to use as an avatar here, I had to choose some other fairy avatar.

My websites should tend to explain my postings in recent threads about the possibility of Lizzie being under the influence of drugs when she did the murders. I happen to know quite a lot about psychopharmacology.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:36 am

Great, looks like everyone enjoyed the link!

Haven't tried any of the other tests myself yet, but, from the results of others, they sound pretty interesting.

Haulover · Post by **Haulover** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:41 pm

Your Linguistic Profile:
45% Dixie
45% General American English
5% Midwestern
5% Yankee
0% Upper Midwestern

________________

this is fun. i'm curious to see how old i am.

Haulover · Post by **Haulover** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:00 pm

the questions on this test were easy to answer:

_____________________________

You Are 45% Normal
(Somewhat Normal)

While some of your behavior is quite normal...
Other things you do are downright strange
You've got a little of your freak going on
But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:56 pm

Oh my Goddess - You are full of Dixie!!

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Thu May 05, 2005 11:29 pm

50% General American English
40% Yankee
10% Dixie
0% Midwestern
0% Upper Midwestern

There are a few things I would quarrel with.

1. I use BOTH cellar and basement
4. Covering a house or area in front with toilet paper? Never heard of such a thing!
6. Comfortable with both water fountain and drinking fountain
10. I don't use ANY of the words for an easy class, but I put "a blow-off," since, presumably, I had to put something.
14. tennis shoes or sneakers (I thought there was a distinction), though I use sneakers much more often.

Do they say what's what anywhere? (I know some of them, for example that pronouncing merry, marry and Mary differently, which I do, is either Yankee or Dixie. (Actually, it's eastern.))

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:06 am

I'm 70% normal
60% female, 40% male (I am male)
will die at 73 (better than I thought)
am mentally 26 years old

Go figure.

Moral: take these things with a grain of salt.

As to my English, I've lived in New York all my life (Queens and Manhattan). Television probably accounts for the large percentage of General American in my speech (and many other people's). Some people claim to detect a hint of a foreign accent (I spoke some Greek as a toddler, but have never been fluent), though others insist I have none. I have a theory that perceiving it goes along with the ability to taste PTC, or perhaps whether or not you like cilantro (I wonder if those two things go together or not), but I've never tested it.

Tracie · Post by **Tracie** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:14 pm

I am:

55% Yankee
25% general american
5% dixie
0% mid western

and I don't remember upper mid western but I down by 15%!!

Born and raised in southern new england.

Tracie

Doug · Post by **Doug** » Sun May 15, 2005 2:04 pm

I just read this topic for the first time so completed the linguistic profile.

My profile is:

50% Yankee

30% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

I was born, raised, and continue to live in western Connecticut. I spent four years in college in the Boston area. Both of my parents were born, raised, and lived their entire lives in New England. My mother had a very pronounced Boston accent ("pahk the cah").

I find I use different words depending on where I happen to be. For example, in Connecticut I usually say "traffic circle" but if I am in Massachusetts I say "rotary." Likewise when talking about large, long sandwiches I say "grinder" in Connecticut and "sub" when I am in Boston.

I usually say "cellar" unless that area is finished and furnished and then I strive for "basement." I have called those finished and furnished areas "cellar" more than once, but people who own them don't seem to appreciate that.

Liz Crouthers · Post by **Liz Crouthers** » Sun May 15, 2005 4:04 pm

65% General American English
15% Dixie
10% Yankee
5% Midwestern
5% Upper /midwestern

myk7753 · Post by **myk7753** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:47 pm

Born and raised in Southern California from South-western born parents and mid-west and southern grandparents and I now live in the mid-west...I got it all covered...:)

***Your Linguistic Profile:***

55% General American English

20% Dixie

10% Yankee

5% Midwestern

5% Upper Midwestern

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:11 pm

Your Linguistic Profile:
50% Yankee
20% General American English
20% Upper Midwestern
5% Dixie
0% Midwestern

I want to know what the 5% Dixie is...it must be because I'm from SOUTHERN New England!