Hooked On Culture: The Phonics of New Orleans

Monday ~ August 08, 2011 by admin

Few American cities are quite like New Orleans. A true mishmash of cultures, New Orleans is a European city slapped right down in the Old South. The people and culture of New Orleans borrow heavily from their African, French, and Spanish roots. These influences can be seen in the food, culture, and most notably the speech of this great city. The phonics, idiom, pacing, and accent of New Orleans are unique. In the South, where those “not from round here’ often require a translator even the true southerners have trouble understanding Crescent City natives. The New Orleans accent even differs wildly from one area of the city to the other. People who live in the same city have to ask other residents to repeat themselves.

So why of all the cities in the south does New Orleans have the most unique and downright crazy way of speaking? Well, history provides the answer. New Orleans, along with its sister city Mobile (pronounced MO-BEEL), was a true deep water port in the Gulf of Mexico and unlike the rest of the south was largely French for a good portion of its history. New Orleans began French, became Spanish, went back to being French when the Acadians marched on down from Canada, and then turned round and became American/English. During all these changes the speech of New Orleans received a steady influx of new phrases and words from those who came into port.

Today, while the rest of the country-s speech is becoming bland and homogenous, New Orleans remains unique of all American cities. Streets are called Rues. Porches are galleries. Sidewalks are banquettes. New Orleans natives are fiercely proud of their accent. Whether they speak with genteel almost typical southern Uptown drawl or they greet friends with the midtown, “Where y-at?’, New Orleans natives are never ashamed of who they are and where they come from.Take a look here to learn more: New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour

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