[shygirl40187]

i just think we sound plain and boring :P I'd kill for a charming southern accent!

[chh]

Lived in Michigan all my life, never noticed an accent. I guess we do have an accent!

[jsqueezer]

A friend from California boiled it down to being able to tell a Michigan person by the way we say words that have "ar" in them. We get all nasally when we say park or yard, and sound really harsh on the "r". I don't know if he's right, but since he mentioned it, it is really noticeable to me now.

[SteveMichiganman]

I lived in Michigan for the first 35 years of my life. Ten years ago, I moved to Canada. I didn't realize that Michiganians have an accent until shortly before I moved. My wife and her brother were raised in Cambridge, Ontario. They brought to my attention that Michiganians pronounce words with "o" in the middle like an "a". "Mom" sounds like "Mam", "pop" sounds like "pap", etc. My wife said when we talked over the phone during our courtship, my voice sounded nasal too. When I still worked in Michigan, one of my co-workers told me that when she visited another state (I can't recall which one...it was definitely NOT in the Midwest), she had a brief conversation with a local. The local knew within ten seconds (or less) that she was born and raised in Michigan.

My wife claims that my Michigan accent has reduced over the past decade. But it's still noticeable. Old habits die hard, but that can be a good thing.

Sincerely,


Steve

[MItoBH]

When I lived on the East coast, people thought I was from Canada. I can't explain it.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by MItoBH

When I lived on the East coast, people thought I was from Canada. I can't explain it.

That's cause lower Michigan east people DO sound a lot like the folks across the Detroit river in Windsor. The big give a way is " EH" in every question or answer.......Now if you are from GR/Holland you will have a Duchman accent .........and ofcoarse if you are a Youper, that's another kettle of fish altogether.

[MI2NY2HI2]

Both my girlfriend and I are from Michigan. Born and raised. We moved to upstate NY and then to Hawaii. Both places people have told her she sounds like shes from Canada or Wisconsin. In NY I had been told once or twice that I sound like I am from Canada, but here in Hawaii they all think I sound like I am from the east (New York). We are both from the tri-city area (Midland, Saginaw, Bay City). Michiganders absolutely have an accent. And I think you are right. It's quite prevalent that we are more oblivious to it than the rest of the country. Not sure why though...

P.S. I thought the same thing about myself until I moved out of state.

[MI2NY2HI2]

Originally Posted by jsqueezer

A friend from California boiled it down to being able to tell a Michigan person by the way we say words that have "ar" in them. We get all nasally when we say park or yard, and sound really harsh on the "r". I don't know if he's right, but since he mentioned it, it is really noticeable to me now.

Perfect example. EVERY time I say "car", people here will immediately have fun with me and mock me a little bit. Interestingly, sometimes it comes out Canadian, sometimes eastern (like NY). I think more Michiganders car the "ar" like "ayrrr". Westerns say it "awrr". "Cayrrr" vs. "Cawrr".

Far east people (NY) say "Cahr".

** I added multiple "r's" depending on how long I perceive each group to drag it out. This was a huge discussion while at work one day. lol.

[Old Prospector]

Say yah to da UP, eh?