From that survey, he created a much more extensive study that he posted on the Cambridge website to study a broader population. He created a survey he gave to his Harvard students to determine the influence of geographic location on language. The survey was begun by Bert Vaux, a Cambridge University linguistics professor who became curious about US regional dialects when he taught at Harvard University. From the results of that survey, an online quiz was developed that analyzes your pronunciation and your use of words to figure out where you’ve lived. The Cambridge Online Survey of World Englishes has studied the different uses of English words across the US. Regional differences in pronunciation and use of words can often pinpoint where a person has lived. Anyone who thinks English is a single language either: The English language has so many different regional dialects that your use of words varies drastically based on where you’ve lived. Whenever you get the money.The estimated reading time for this post is 4 minutesĮnglish is English is English, right? Well, wrong. “You’re the most dishonest grifter I’ve ever met.”.How do you let him know you’re ending the friendship? You lent a friend $5,000 and he never paid it back. What’s the room overlooking the street, where all the furniture is covered in plastic? How do you ask someone whether they’ve had a successful year? How do you let him know you’re not coming? Your friend invites you to see Brett Eldredge at the Kane County Fair. “We can make it to the next exit.” (There’s always a Casey’s around, right?) “I never drive with less than a quarter tank.”.Your family wants to know when you last filled up the gas tank. You’re driving home from the Wisconsin Dells on I-90. 1 or 2, although all Midwesterners believe 3 is correct.I say ‘Dawn’ for ‘Don’ and ‘warsh’ for ‘wash.’” I say ‘cay-et’ for cat and ‘pahhp’ for pop.” All of the above, although 3 is preferred.“Just wait five minutes it’ll change.”.If you want to know everything there is to know about someone you’ve just met, what one question do you ask them?Ī friend from another part of the country complains about the weather. How do you express your appreciation for her performance? You’re moved to tears by the singer’s voice. You’re racing to catch a train and you almost run into someone. What do you shout at someone who cuts you off in traffic? How do you ask someone whether they’ve had their supper yet? All of the above, although “yinz” is only acceptable in Pittsburgh.Which of these is an acceptable way to refer to a group of people? You’re going to the beach and you want a friend to join you. “You really ought to think that through before you tell the boss.”.“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”.How many marbles do you have now?Ī co-worker suggests that everyone in your office wear name tags, so you can all greet each other. If you disagree with any of these, that’s OK. It may not be as extensive or scientific as The New York Times dialect quiz, but, you know, we’re just regular folks doing the best we can with what we’ve got here. So I put together this quiz to help you determine whether you talk like a Midwesterner, by testing your skill at avoiding verbal conflict, as well as your knowledge of various other words and pronunciations. I’ve lived in Illinois and Michigan, worked in Indiana, and seen the wonders of Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota (including the world’s largest penny and a giant animatronic Paul Bunyan). Or talking excessively, period.Īs the author of the book How to Speak Midwestern, and a Regular Fellow at the Institute for Midwestern Studies in Keokuk, Iowa, I think I have a pretty good idea of how people talk in this part of the country. Or the Minnesotan who delivered this scathing one-word review of Fargo: “Well, that was different.” Passive-aggressive criticism is an important Midwestern skill. who presented an idea to a group of Midwesterners and thought it was going over well because they all said it was interesting. The story is told of a consultant from D.C. Midwesterners don’t like to sound critical or hurt anyone’s feelings, so we’ve developed code words to avoid stating an opinion altogether. He’s been bustin’ my balls for 30 years, right, Jer?” In the South, every compliment is an insult: “Well, aren’t you kind?” In the Midwest, you’re never sure whether you’re being complimented or insulted. It’s been said that in New York, every insult is a compliment: “This is my buddy, Jerry.
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