New York As a Second Language

fureverywhere

fureverywhere

beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
Location
Northern NJ, USA
Where we live there is a melting pot of accents. There is the blend of ethnicities...Spanish, Portuguese, French and French Creole, transplants from all over the UK, Arabic, African and Italian dialects...every mix you can imagine. But I picked up a book the other day about how to talk like a New Yorker. Of course it's written as a joke.

Everyone tri-state doesn't sound like they escaped from Jersey Shore. But after a bit of reading I have to admit knowing more than a few folks with the accent. In fact I can slip into it rather easily. But I also realize how befuddling it might be to understand.

A heavy New York accent muddles enunciation, very difficult if English is your second or third language.

An example-If you're not familiar with city living you wouldn't know that parking is a huge issue. Too many vehicles, meters, road closures, designated spots. Parking your car in the city is a logistical nightmare. The answer is using a parking garage. Usually staffed by glum attendants, you park and for an upfront tip they might or might not let someone break in while you're gone.

In the book it is called The Pockin Grodge. There will be a sign outside listing the prices
First 10 minutes $4.26
Each extra minute $12.21
Less than a half hour $42.00 minimum
No maximum over three hours
Night rates sometimes apply
Day rates subject to change at night

The attendants will instruct you
"Plova!" ( Leave the car right here please)
"Hallog?" ( When might you be returning?)
"Luckat!" ( Careful, there is another car approaching)
"Yo!Ay!" ( I'm sorry, you have neglected to leave us your key)
"Wakyna caw?" (Please describe your vehicle)
"Waculla?" ( I need a bit more information please)
"Ya%$&*&%^%" ( You have overlooked the customary gratuity and your maternal role model was someone of easy virtue)
 

There are certainly some interesting "dialects" in various parts of the nation. NYC, Boston, and parts of the deep South, all seem to have their own versions of English, and a person traveling to those areas has to listen closely to be able to carry on a conversation.
The automobile parking in NYC can be a real challenge...which is probably why most there use the subway or a taxi. What used to crack me up was the "elevators" where cars are stacked up on top of each other and raised/lowered as needed. I used to go to Kingston, NY, for company schools, and when I wanted to go to NYC, I always did so on a Sunday morning. The city is very quiet, and all the tourist sites, etc., are easily accessible, with plenty of parking available. However, about 2PM the city started coming alive, and it was time to head back North.
 
Love the translations, Fur!! Many of us have a distinct accent. New Englander's do-especially around Boston. Down my way, we're a bit "Dutchy" but go down to Philly, and again you may notice a difference. The most difficult for me to understand is English spoken from the UK. Not sure why. Dialect is a rather strange phenomenon. When you think about it, it seems the southern accent or drawl, is spoken a little slower. I'm not familiar with Midwest and west accents but I'm sure they very too. Interesting topic.
 

You know what's amusing too is the concept of one Southern accent. I can imagine other countries lumping all the variations together. I've lived in Florida and Texas n' had family in Georgia. Very distinct differences between the three, but to some folks they all sound like Boxcar Willie.;)
 
Now thinking about it...isn't there a similarity between the Boston " Pahk the cah" and the Jersey " Pahk the cah then we'll get kawfeee"?:confused:
 
fureverywhere said:
You know what's amusing too is the concept of one Southern accent. I can imagine other countries lumping all the variations together. I've lived in Florida and Texas n' had family in Georgia. Very distinct differences between the three, but to some folks they all sound like Boxcar Willie.;)
Click to expand...

Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi all have their own distinct accents.

Even North Carolina has its own accent, though I'm not sure about South Carolina.

Native Florida is just kind of a generic southern twang.
 
My grandfather had a strong "Tidewater" accent.....you know, "there's a moose in the hoose, get it oot, get it oot". I lived there for a year when I was 20/21 and to this day, I still have a faint hint of it. It's a strong influence.

Now see that is interesting because in Pennsylvania Dutch...based in German, how I have no idea. But yes there are many oots in PA Dutch as well.
 
Except that, as a Jerseyite, I never actually heard any of the locals pronounce it "Joisey."

As for expecting anyone outside of the NY-NJ orbit to understand that list, Fur, fuggedaboutit! (Pronounced fuh-GED-about-it)
 

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