Dialect and the southern accent

I just finished reading a chapter in my school text on language, dialects, and accents and had to take a break to write in my blog for a bit. Last April I took a trip to Houston and found myself in an area of the country that I easily fall into the rhythm and accent. I was there for only four days and by the third day I had fallen right in with the locals. Friday of the week I was in Texas was my day off from the conference I had flown out to attend. I had decided that if I was going to be as close as I was to the Gulf of Mexico then damn it! I was going to see the Gulf. So Friday I headed south of Houston to Galveston ready to meander, have a yummy lunch, and explore the beach. Upon my arrival to Galveston I found myself unsure of what to do, where to go, or even of where to park. Everything was paid and much was call in to pay which I didn't get.

So I headed out, determined to find a visitor center. I will say, thank God for my GPS (whom I've named Martha), without her I'd have been lost constantly. as it was, even with guidance, I found I was often circling the freeway on and off ramps like a buzzard circling a dead snake. Eventually, I found the right road, the right on ramp, and be on the freeway heading in the right direction. With my trusty Martha perched on the dashboard acting as my happy tour guide I made my way to the visitor center.

I went inside and found a couple ladies working, they happily began conversation with me and we talked about the Galveston area, places to shop, sites to see, and yummy places to get lunch. At one point one of the ladies asked me where I was from. So I told her, Prescott, AZ. Both women got confused looks on their faces.

"Arizona?" One lady asked. "Really?"
"Did you move to Arizona?" The other asked.
"No, born and raised in Arizona." I paused, "I'm talking like you aren't I?"
"Honey" The first lady countered, "You have more of an accent than I do and I live here."

We laughed about it and I moved on to my adventures in Galveston. I guess if I ever move south I don't have to worry about fitting in like a local. I know I'll slide in without even trying. At least in the way I speak.