Southern Dialect

Most folks learn early on to speak the vernacular of the region in which they’re raised. Our vocabulary and dialect is often learned and instilled in us between the ages of two to six years of age. Therefore, when visiting the South you should remember that the dialect with which folks speak has nothing at all to do with their intelligence or their knowledge of the rules of grammar.

In the South, maybe more so than anywhere else, the verbiage people use when communicating does not indicate their level of education, intelligence, or social status. Their way of speaking is just the way things are done, the way they have been raised, and is certainly not an indication of laziness as some may believe.

If you are considering visiting the Southern region of the United States, especially down around the Georgia area, you really should know the basics of Southern dialect. Here are few of the most basic things you will need to know in order to be able to understand and communicate properly when in the South.

1. The suffix "ing" in all words is silent and should be pronounced as "n" or "in"
Example: Think’n, fix’n, hang’n, chew’n, leave’n, rain’in, speak’in

2. The word "you" is pronounced "ya."
Example: Where ya go’n to? Did ya milk the cows? Are ya sure?

3. Always combine words whenever possible and omit any unnecessary words like "are."
Example: Did’ya see the size of that snake? Why’ya dressed like that? Where’ya go’n?

4. The prefixes "a" and "be" are silent in the words "about" and "because."
Example: ‘Bout time ya showed up. They got divorced ‘cause he cheated.

5. "Am Not" and "Are Not" is always spoken as "Ain’t."
Example:I ain’t let’n ya ride my mule. Ya ain’t never right.

6. Potato or potatoes are pronounced tater or taters.
Example: Roy, go and dig me up some of them taters for supper. Leave that last tater for your dad.

7. If you have something (or some’in) to say that is negative always follow it with "Bless his/her soul."
Example: Mrs. Daisy’s niece is dumb as a sack of rocks; bless her soul. Mr. Jenkins’s is as bald as an eagle; bless his soul.

8. "Yonder" is the acceptable word when giving directions.
Example:He lives right over yonder passed Joe’s diner. Go down yonder to the bridge and turn left. Go yonder about a mile then turn right.

9. "You all" is always pronounced ya’ll.
Example: Are ya’ll com’n to the dance Friday? Where did ya’ll go on vacation?

10. Five of the most common words to use in place of swearwords are:
Dad burn it! Dag nabbit! Darn! Dang! Dad blast it!

In the South, you will find some of the friendliest, heart-warming, helpful, bible-believing folks you’ve ever run into. So please, ya’ll come visit, relax, have a glass of good ole ice tea, and enjoy our dialect. Oh, and feel free to join right in if’in you have a mind to. Bless your soul!


Bless your soul
Granny

My Platform

I am not usually one who speaks out much on politics. Normally my stand is to pray for those who decide to embark on this path. However, after being bombarded by ads and events surrounding this year’s presidential campaign I have realized that no one clearly addresses the real issues that we as citizens deal with on a daily basis. Therefore, I have decided to share my opinion on what America needs and if I were running for Office these are a few of the issues I would address.

(1) Language - In America the official language is English. You must learn to speak English or have a personal translator above the age of eighteen with you at all times. You will not be allowed to apply for employment until you can speak English. (We will offer ample opportunities for you to learn our language, but we will not pay for it with taxpayer’s monies)

(2) Welfare – Each recipient must submit to random drug testing once a month. If you do not pass your check stops immediately. Checks will be issued on Monday mornings. You must reapply for the privilege to receive welfare every year. You must do volunteer community service for a minimum of 20 hours a week or until you are gainfully employed. You are not allowed to procreate while reaching welfare monies. (If you can’t afford to support yourself, you certainly can’t afford to support more children.)

(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on them. The price of items exported and imported will be comparative. We will no longer sell our products dirt cheap while we are gouged for equally necessary items such as oil.

(5) Social Security will be reserved for those who have worked and put in their fair share.
Government officials, who will not be living on social security, will no longer be able to make decisions or vote on issues concerning Social Security. Social Security policies will be made by a forum of senior citizens who actually have to live and rely on social security for their lively hood.

(7) Professional Athletes –Any athlete found in violate of drug policies or who is convicted of a crime, will be banned for life. (Our kids and many adults look up to sports figures as mentors. This will help our youth to understand that there are real consequences for your actions)

(8) Crime – If you plead guilty or you are proven guilty in a court of law you will begin your sentence immediately. You will serve your full sentence with no opportunity for parole. You will lose your rights as an upstanding citizen to vote or make a profit from the crime you committed by selling rights to a movie, or writing a book, or speaking out at events. While incarcerated you will work in some capacity to help improve your community, whether it be digging ditches, mowing lawns, or rebuilding and cleaning areas destroyed by natural disasters. If you are convicted of a sexual crime, appropriate medical treatment will be administered to ensure your inability to ever commit such a crime again. If you are convicted of murder, you will immediately be sent to the front lines in Iraq and take the place of one of our young kids who have willing put their life on the line for the likes of you.

(11) The right to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and pray will be returned to our schools. In fact it will be mandatory that each school day will begin with an assembly hall where The Pledge of Allegiance and prayer will be conducted. Failure to attend will result in disciplinary action. (Notice I did not say participate. You can choose whether you wish to participate, but you will be exposed to what is our right as Americans so that you might realize what our forefathers and others have died for.)

(12) It will be mandatory practice that The National Anthem be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, and public governmental affairs. It will also be mandatory that you place your right hand over your heart in respect for our country’s flag and all who have died under it.

(13) Racism is a two way street. If we are going to live together then we must have equality across the board. We no longer allow ALL white colleges; therefore, we will no longer allow ALL black colleges. We are not allowed weeks or special occasions that are set aside for ALL whites and therefore there will not be any ALL black special occasions either. Everyone must be given equal opportunity to attend any public function regardless of color. Employees are not to employ or keep employees just because of race just to meet some quota. You will be chosen for employment depending on your qualifications for the job. All college entrance exams or any other privileges that require testing will be the same across the board for everyone. Equality means not giving special privileges to someone just because of their race. Consequently, if we want equality we must have equality for ALL not just for a select few or just when it suits someone’s fancy.

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Many men and woman have given their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy every day. Their lives mean something and we should respect the fact they were willing to give their live so we could have the freedom to live ours. Freedom of speech is one of the freedoms many have died for. I hope that no one who reads these words will take them as a personal slander or as racist comments. However, if you chose to do so that is your right. I speak in general and from my own personal experiences.

Change can be a good thing as history has proven. However, America was built on certain values, morals, and beliefs and when we mess with those we are leaving our country and ourselves wide open for destruction and failure.

May God Bless America, its people, and all who believe in Him!

granny
I write because I care!