General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat unusual phrases does YOUR region use? Interactive grammar map reveals bizarre language
differences across the U.S.* In New York and California, there is a tendency for people to use the word 'so' in sentences to increase drama
* Phrases such as 'here's you a water bottle' are common in the south, but people in the north find it strange
* To find more examples of unusual grammar use, zoom in on the map at the link and click on a red location marker
Click on a location marker in the map at the link to hear common phrases for each state
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3047678/What-unusual-phrases-does-area-use-Interactive-grammar-map-reveals-bizarre-language-differences-US.html
From 'here's you a piece of pizza' to 'this glass needs washed', every state has its own set of phrases that can seem bizarre to the rest of the English-speaking world.
In New York, for instance, there's a tendency to use the word 'so' for drama, such as 'I'm so totally over this.'
Some people in San Jose think nothing of saying 'didn't nobody help him', while Florida residents can be heard using the phrase, 'I ain't never had no trouble with none of 'em.'
Now researchers at Yale University have revealed these patterns by documenting the subtle differences in sentence structure across the US.
Their interactive map allows you to click on a location and see common phrases for a region, as well as its source.
While the map focuses on the US, it also has a small amount of data for the UK, with sentences such as 'yer lugs needs washed' used in Scotland and 'Ne mon nule don hum no good', in Aylesbury.
'Unlike variation in phonology (often referred to as accent) and in the lexicon (different words), variation in grammatical systems within English has for the most part not been systematically investigated,' says Larry Horn, professor of linguistics and philosophy at Yale University.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)hlthe2b
(102,276 posts)because it usually comes from those who are pretty careful with their grammar.
What does the twitter comment on the map even mean?
cali
(114,904 posts)as in "we'll see how things sugar off when we have all the facts"
It's really a making maple syrup term- which is called sugaring.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,823 posts)Thanks! Was thinking of my dad this morning and missing him (he died 4 years ago) and so much of the many push pins on the map from that state are things this Yankee grew up hearing! Thanks!
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)underpants
(182,803 posts)Or are-uh
Old time Vuhginyuns (my stepfather included) put an "a" at the end of both the word "are" and the letter when spelling.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)IDemo
(16,926 posts)That's one I remember from my brief time in VA. years ago, though I think it's fairly common throughout the South.
Also, Pronouncing "home" like "hewm", and "on" like "ohwahn".
underpants
(182,803 posts)Three
One to change it and two at remembuh how good the oooold one was
Ms. Toad
(34,072 posts)is stuck in Idaho. . .
("Needs washed," instead of "needs to be washed"
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)and find the origin
Ms. Toad
(34,072 posts)I actually first heard it in the all-black high school in NE Ohio - and I figured it was an ethnic source. It was years later that I realized it was a Western PA thing that had apparently migrated. But earlier than Western PA, I have no clue.
It would be: the towel needs washed. The lock needs changed. The car needs fixed. Etc.
GreatGazoo
(3,937 posts)Someone else is mapping "Soda" vs "Pop" vs "Coke(s)"
http://popvssoda.com/
mainer
(12,022 posts)Surprised to hear it's considered regional.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,316 posts)Still fairly common - they note it in California too. This is about ways of speaking rather than particular words;other examples are 'negative inversion ("wasn't nobody home" ', or the 'positive anymore ("Those are worthless anymore" '.
tinymontgomery
(2,584 posts)They don' list this one for South Jersey/Philadelphia:
"youse guys". Yes, I'm from South Jersey.
What happened to NY, Cousin Vinny , "youts"