[canudigit]

I work as a telephone triage nurse from home and communicate with people on the West Coast on a daily basis. Last night I got a call from a woman in Salem, Oregon, and about two sentences into the conversation she asked me out of the blue, "Are you from Michigan?" I couldn't imagine how she could have possible figured that out and my first thought was that maybe she knew someone from Michigan with my fairly unusual surname. I told her yes and she said, "I could tell right away. You have such a Michigan accent." Turns out she was originally from Illinois, so she had some experience with the Michigan accent, apparently.

Can I just tell you that this made my night? I have never had anyone identify me as being from Michigan based on the way that I speak, and ironically, I am not even a Michigan native, having grown up in NW Ohio. In fact, I barely live in Michigan now, being about twenty miles from the Ohio state line. We have lived in Michigan for almost eighteen years now, and I love it so much here it isn't even funny. To actually have someone tell me that I have a Michigan accent fills me with pride in my beautiful adopted state and makes me feel like I'm a true Michigander now! Of course, I am one of those people who would tell you that I have no discernible accent, that I speak in that notorious "Midwest vernacular" that is supposed to be so desirable, but who knew? LOL

Like I said, it made my night.

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

I hope I be able to say that soon. I still have my southern accent...cant seem to shake it

[jaynarie]

I lived in the south for 6 years. Most people could pinpoint it to the "Great Lakes" region. Many guessed Chicago. I adamantly refused having an accent

[Meemur]

LOL!

Here's a fun guide:

michigan accent pronunciation guide

A snipplet:

Pronunciations Unique to Us

Here are some common Michigan pronunciations so that you can proudly walk around and convincingly say you've been a Red Wings fan, ya know, like since you were a kid.

"AK-cidih": Accident. "Got inta'a baad AKcidih' with my rennel cahrr....some drunk f&*#$@ on I-696!" (in the Texas Accent Pronunciation Guide, this is noted as "got inta a bay-ed wreck in mah rent cawr.")

"aeh Narbor": Ann Arbor. Home of the Michigan Wolverines.

"Ashfault": Asphalt. It almost sounds like we're from Jersey, doesn't it? (this one sent in by Bob)

"Aent": Aunt. When you hear Will Smith talk about his "awntie", doesn't that just sound wrong?

"Bob-lo": Bois Blanc. The name shared by several Michigan islands (and a former amusement park). Next time someone blows their nose: "Hey, it's the Boblo Boat!"

[Indentured Servant]

Originally Posted by Meemur

LOL!

Here's a fun guide:

michigan accent pronunciation guide

A snipplet:

Pronunciations Unique to Us

Here are some common Michigan pronunciations so that you can proudly walk around and convincingly say you've been a Red Wings fan, ya know, like since you were a kid.

"AK-cidih": Accident. "Got inta'a baad AKcidih' with my rennel cahrr....some drunk f&*#$@ on I-696!" (in the Texas Accent Pronunciation Guide, this is noted as "got inta a bay-ed wreck in mah rent cawr.")

"aeh Narbor": Ann Arbor. Home of the Michigan Wolverines.

"Ashfault": Asphalt. It almost sounds like we're from Jersey, doesn't it? (this one sent in by Bob)

"Aent": Aunt. When you hear Will Smith talk about his "awntie", doesn't that just sound wrong?

"Bob-lo": Bois Blanc. The name shared by several Michigan islands (and a former amusement park). Next time someone blows their nose: "Hey, it's the Boblo Boat!"

Just say "party store".....and everybody know you from Michigan.

[Republic of Michigan]

The Chicago accent is disgusting and painful to listen too, and many people in Michigan have it. It is a very nasal accent. It has a strong nasal reverberating "A" sound. Also some letters are pronounced with that nasal sound. For instance the weatherman on channel 2 says ShAA-wers instead of showers. Or AAAple instead of apple. Gov. Snyder has this accent also. It is not a nice accent on a woman. This accent needs to be eradicated from Michigan.

[jaynarie]

Originally Posted by Republic of Michigan

The Chicago accent is disgusting and painful to listen too, and many people in Michigan have it. It is a very nasal accent. It has a strong nasal reverberating "A" sound. Also some letters are pronounced with that nasal sound. For instance the weatherman on channel 2 says ShAA-wers instead of showers. Or AAAple instead of apple. Gov. Snyder has this accent also. It is not a nice accent on a woman. This accent needs to be eradicated from Michigan.

Yeah. I don't talk like that. I'm from southeastern/mid Michigan and I've only been to Chicago twice. But when in the south, that was the most common guess.

Maybe it is my hearing, but I truly feel like I am without an accent!! I'm a teacher, so I tend to enunciate and articulate. I do not hear a difference between myself and the typical American accent heard on TV.

Now, vernacular? All Michigan. Maybe that's what gives me away

(While living in the south, I refused to change. Instead of changing, I would just stop using words. I refused to call pop 'soda', so I'd use soft drink instead. I taught 5th grade while in NC, so my students loved to debate. I used 'pavement' or 'concrete' instead of 'cement' since they say see-ment. I referred to the Appalachian Mountains as simply 'mountains' to avoid the "apple-at-chin" pronunciation.)

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

I hear my coworkers saying "Think u" instead of "Thank you"

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by jaynarie

I lived in the south for 6 years. Most people could pinpoint it to the "Great Lakes" region. Many guessed Chicago. I adamantly refused having an accent

When I was in North Carolina, I was pegged as a Canadian or from the Rust Belt (in the most affectionate way)

[dragon_fly_12]

The kind folks of Cleveland, for the approximate year I lived there, pointed out my VERY distinct Michigan accent years ago. My 2 years in OH and 3 years in NC diluted it for a while, but it is back in full swing since the 3yrs I've returned to MI.