Do people from Chicago really have distinguishable accents?

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samsona

Chicagoans definitely have an accent. Every region in the country has distinct ways of pronouncing certain sounds, including your friend from Minnesota. I'm originally from Texas, but I've lived in Chicago for 7 years and studied voice and speech for about 10 years. There are certain vowel sounds that are distinct to people from Chicago and the long "a" sound is one of them.

I think Chicagoans should be proud of their unique sound and embrace it.

CRAZYGIRL

I am not sure why they say it either! (from Chicago as well) But I lived in S.C. for three years and people always said that to me! *They also thought I knew Oprah or M.J. -go figure!

Hey Randy, that was my point- people in the south seem to think that Oprah and M.j. (or any well known Chicagoan) are your neighbors!

bodinibold

A traditional Chicago accent is a mix of all of the cultures that have landed here: basic Midwesterners, Irish, Polish, even a little Italian. You can hear the Eastern European influence in the way longtime Chicagoans say things like "them, these and those" (they say "dem, dese and dose"). That's why the SNL guys say "DA Bulls" instead of The Bulls". We like to flatter our vowels ("Chi-caw-go" insted of Chi-CA-go).

But that accent is slowly going away as the older ethnic Chicagoans get older and pass away and more and more younger people from all over the area and country move here. You don't get too many blue collar Irish or Polish moving to Chicago anymore. Today it's young people who graduate from the University of Michigan, Iowa state, Indiana, etc.

And I find is amusing that your friend from Minnesota thinks Chicagoans talks "funny". Has she SEEN the movie "Fargo"?

Erin R

If you listen to Mayor Daley (or anyone else born & bred in Bridgeport...and I'm not stereotyping) closely you can hear it. They sound like the ultimate fan guys from SNL (Da Bears, Da Bulls, Da Cubs...)

outlaw_tattoo_biker

Hey! I's don't like you askin dat over dere!

People from chicago sound like they are from new jersey. Not as strong as your typical new york accent, but very german italian!

I can usually distinguish a chicago accent right away!
compared to the rest of the country, it sounds very blue collar!

jasonbourne421

I wouldn't know, but sometimes it seems like everyone else from everywhere else talk just a little different

snapoutofit

Yes. Listen to Mayor Daley talk. He is a perfect example. Examples include da Bulls instead of the bulls, something about "yooz guys," etc. It's not as distinct as it used to be. I went to camp once and had a cabin mate from Texas, and she just laughed and laughed over MY accent, of all things.

marie

Someone from Minnesota was talking about YOUR accent? That is one of the silliest accents in the country! But yes, we do have a very flat accent. flaaaaat. I think Bill Murray has the most classic Chicago accent around.

ladyawesomemasteroftheawesomness

well... there's one way to fund out! record urself now then move tio another area/state/country for a couple years then record urself again listen to the 2 tapes and compare :)
and yes, chicagoans do have accents u just dont notice cuz their urs!

Randy from AR

people from Chicago carry their a's a little longer than normal..

and tell your buddy from Minnesota he shouldnt even talk about accents.. I just came back from Wisconsin, and damn! too close to Canada for me eh!

I live in Arkansas, and I have the biggest Redneck accent...
I did not fit in, in Wisconsin!

I AM A BEARS FAN THOUGH! WOOT!!! DA BEARS! (used to be a bulls fan for basketball)

and uhh, MJ doesnt live in Chicago =0
he lives in Valparaiso, Indiana in a really huge mansion behind my Grandparents old house there, of course he has a 15 foot privacy fence =/

jdhogg44

Chicagoans are the only people that dont have accents. Everyone else does.

redunicorn

We speak standard Midwest English.

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