Is the old Texas accent dying? (Houston, El Paso: pharmacies, living, suburbs)

[TexasReb]

The latest posts bring up an interesting point (which might even be the basis for a poll idea later! LOL).

That is, what single factor do you all believe is the biggest that has contributed to the general overall decline of the Texas/Southern accent in the state over the years? Is it the influence of northern/westcoast transplants...or the almost overwhelming flooding of the mass media to kids today?

Of course, there are others...but these two really stick out IMHO.

[UTHORNS96]

Originally Posted by brianreading

Never seen a native Houstonian under the age of 40 who has a southern accent unless they grew up elsewhere and came back.

You've never been to the hood, then, lol.

No outsiders are moving to Acres Homes, Hiram Clarke, 3rd and 5th ward, south park, south bank, sunnyside et al.. That's why they've been talking the same way forever.

It's the same way in the Dallas hoods. I've always said that percentage wise, African-American Texans are maintaining their southern speech patterns at a higher percentage. This is mainly because outsiders aren't moving to the places AA's in Texas usually live in great numbers.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by UTHORNS96

You've never been to the hood, then, lol.

No outsiders are moving to Acres Homes, Hiram Clarke, 3rd and 5th ward, south park, south bank, sunnyside et al.. That's why they've been talking the same way forever.

It's the same way in the Dallas hoods. I've always said that percentage wise, African-American Texans are maintaining their southern speech patterns at a higher percentage. This is mainly because outsiders aren't moving to the places AA's in Texas usually live in great numbers.

There are some middle class areas in Greater Acres Homes, and there are some outsiders there (mostly Katrina evacuees and Hispanics), but what I was saying is that this area isn't dominated by transplants the same way places like Sugar Land and Clear Lake are.

[xsatyr]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

The latest posts bring up an interesting point (which might even be the basis for a poll idea later! LOL).

That is, what single factor do you all believe is the biggest that has contributed to the general overall decline of the Texas/Southern accent in the state over the years? Is it the influence of northern/westcoast transplants...or the almost overwhelming flooding of the mass media to kids today?

Of course, there are others...but these two really stick out IMHO.

Mass Media is the main contributor imho but transplants is right behind it. This monotone speech is not just prevalent in Texas where there is a booming population. It's happening everywhere with the young generation. Of course there are exceptions; Shain from Buckwild... R.I.P.

This is pure speculation but I wouldn't be surprised if people from rural areas watch less television. They are probably a lot more family oriented so their accents mimic their elders.

[xsatyr]

Originally Posted by UTHORNS96

You've never been to the hood, then, lol.

No outsiders are moving to Acres Homes, Hiram Clarke, 3rd and 5th ward, south park, south bank, sunnyside et al.. That's why they've been talking the same way forever.

It's the same way in the Dallas hoods. I've always said that percentage wise, African-American Texans are maintaining their southern speech patterns at a higher percentage. This is mainly because outsiders aren't moving to the places AA's in Texas usually live in great numbers.

I live East of I45 by Jeff Davis HS and most of my friends are from 2nd/3rd ward which are predominately Mexican/black neighborhoods. Even some of my old friends from Trinity Gardens sound pretty normal. We are not really retaining southern speech. Some of them speak with a little urban slang and some have Spanish accents but that's because English was their second language so I have to disagree with you.

[brianreading]

Originally Posted by xsatyr

I live East of I45 by Jeff Davis HS and most of my friends are from 2nd/3rd ward which are predominately Mexican/black neighborhoods. Even some of my old friends from Trinity Gardens sound pretty normal. We are not really retaining southern speech. Some of them speak with a little urban slang and some have Spanish accents but that's because English was their second language so I have to disagree with you.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. People living in the East End/2nd Ward seem to have more of a spanish accent than anything else.

[madrone2k]

I've lived in Houston most of my life and it's always seemed to me that accents often tend to vary according to things like the social circles one travels in and parts of town one frequents. When I was an undergrad at UT-Austin, I met a young woman from Pasadena (TX) who couldn't believe I was from Houston. To me, she had a strong "Texas" accent and I don't -- according to what I'm told. (Unless I ask my friend from Brooklyn!)

Every once in awhile I hear a young woman speaking with a California Valley-Girl type accent, even though she is from a smallish town in Texas or somewhere in the midwest. Surely that's due to mass media.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by xsatyr

I live East of I45 by Jeff Davis HS and most of my friends are from 2nd/3rd ward which are predominately Mexican/black neighborhoods. Even some of my old friends from Trinity Gardens sound pretty normal. We are not really retaining southern speech. Some of them speak with a little urban slang and some have Spanish accents but that's because English was their second language so I have to disagree with you.

The southern accent is very much alive and well in Third Ward and Trinity Gardens, even with the young people.

[xsatyr]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

The southern accent is very much alive and well in Third Ward and Trinity Gardens, even with the young people.

I have to call bs on that. I know those areas too well.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by xsatyr

I have to call bs on that. I know those areas too well.

Good for you. I know plenty of young people in/from those areas, and I certainly don't need anyone to tell me what I know.

Am I saying that every person there has a southern accent? No, but many if not most blacks of all age groups in this city most certainly do.