American Dialect Map

gunnels · 12-28-2013, 05:57 AM

(I did a quick search and didn't find anything so I hope that this hasn't been done before)

I stumbled across this dialect quiz that produces a map reflecting dialect and pronunciation similarities in the US. Here's mine:

It's fairly accurate in my opinion! I seem to have the most in common with my native Northern California, and I would apparently have a hard time in Louisiana (and Western Penn for some reason? I had no idea that region even had a unique accent!)

I think it could be fun or interesting to compare maps (even if you're not from the US, for ****s and giggles). The quiz itself is also interesting, as it gives you individual maps corresponding to the answer you last gave as you go along. There are words and phrases featured as answers that I have never ever heard of either.

right-track · 12-28-2013, 06:33 AM

I gave this a go out of curiosity.
Being an Englishman I reckon my result may be of interest, historically?

Anyway the 3 most similar cities shown are; Yonkers, Newark/Paterson and Philadelphia.

3 of the least similar cities shown are; Worcester, Garland and Fort Worth.

Make of that what you will...

**Janszoon** · 12-28-2013, 06:36 AM

This sounds interesting! I'm looking forward to trying this.

And, yeah, western PA has its own unique accent and even its own weird words like "yinz".

Taxman · 12-28-2013, 06:39 AM

Where would I belong with my finish accent that sounds like some pseudo British people who is eating a hot potato at the same time. I'm gonna try this someday

Taxman · 12-28-2013, 06:43 AM

Blah it didn't allow me to speak. Just a bore and it did not work anyway.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 12-28-2013, 08:05 AM

Wish there was a UK version.

TheBig3 · 12-28-2013, 08:44 AM

I did it and got Boston, Worcester, Providence. So I'm where I should be I guess.

Burning Down · 12-28-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Wish there was a UK version.

There should be, I'd really be interested to see where it places me.

Burning Down · 12-28-2013, 09:14 AM

Ok, here's mine:

Most similar to: Buffalo, Rochester, and Arlington (hmmm). Buffalo and Rochester are spot on - they're only like a 3 hour drive max from Toronto. And most of our American TV stations are from there. In fact, pretty much all of NY is super red on my map.

Least similar to: Philadelphia, Houston, and Detroit (kind of funny since I was born there. Didn't grow up in the Windsor/Detroit area though - they have their own accent down there.)

Thom Yorke · 12-28-2013, 10:32 AM

Most: Minneapolis, Seattle, Tacoma
Least: Philadelphia, Little Rock, New Orleans

12-28-2013, 06:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	I gave this a go out of curiosity. Being an Englishman I reckon my result may be of interest, historically? Anyway the 3 most similar cities shown are; Yonkers, Newark/Paterson and Philadelphia. 3 of the least similar cities shown are; Worcester, Garland and Fort Worth. Make of that what you will... Last edited by right-track; 12-28-2013 at 06:39 AM.

12-28-2013, 06:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	This sounds interesting! I'm looking forward to trying this. And, yeah, western PA has its own unique accent and even its own weird words like "yinz". __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

12-28-2013, 08:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	I did it and got Boston, Worcester, Providence. So I'm where I should be I guess. __________________ I've moved to a new address

12-28-2013, 06:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Taxman watching the wheels Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Finland Posts: 470	Where would I belong with my finish accent that sounds like some pseudo British people who is eating a hot potato at the same time. I'm gonna try this someday

12-28-2013, 06:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Taxman watching the wheels Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Finland Posts: 470	Blah it didn't allow me to speak. Just a bore and it did not work anyway.

12-28-2013, 08:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	Wish there was a UK version.

12-28-2013, 09:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	Ok, here's mine: Most similar to: Buffalo, Rochester, and Arlington (hmmm). Buffalo and Rochester are spot on - they're only like a 3 hour drive max from Toronto. And most of our American TV stations are from there. In fact, pretty much all of NY is super red on my map. Least similar to: Philadelphia, Houston, and Detroit (kind of funny since I was born there. Didn't grow up in the Windsor/Detroit area though - they have their own accent down there.)

12-28-2013, 10:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	Most: Minneapolis, Seattle, Tacoma Least: Philadelphia, Little Rock, New Orleans