The sweet tea might still be sweet, but the way Georgians say "sweet" is changing. A 2023 study published in Language Variation and Change dives into the fascinating world of Southern accents, uncovering a "Gen X Cliff" where the classic Southern Vowel Shift (SVS) takes a nosedive. Buckle up, y'all, because we're about to explore the evolution of linguistic stankonia birthed in the Peach State.
SVS vs. LBMS: Say It Ain’t So
Consider the twang in the word time where the pronunciation of the i is verbalized as ah, thus time sounds like Tom or pine sounds like pawn. That's the Southern SVS, a distinct pattern where vowel sounds mimic the heroine in an antebellum film or your great-aunt who lives in Savannah and drives a Cadillac.
Award-winning journalist Deborah Norville, who was born and raised in Dalton, Georgia painted an authentic picture of her experience on Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2018:
But, a slow evolution of the Low-Back-Merger Shift (LBMS) has caused a shift that flattens out some vowel sounds, making them less distinct and, well, less Southern. During a recent investigation on vowel shifting, PBS.org claims, "The vowels are the o sound of cot (box, lot, job, Don) and the au sound of caught (fought, bought, off). Many Americans use the same vowel in all of these words, so for them, cot and caught, as well as Don and dawn, are homophones (have the same pronunciation)." The LBMS trend originated in California and has since spread eastward amongst individuals under 35 years of age.
Baby Boomer Peak and Gen X Cliff
Researchers analyzed the voices of seven generations of White Georgians, and here's where things get interesting. The SVS peaked with the Baby Boomer generation, those folks born around World War II. But there's a sharp decline with Gen X (think Big Lebowski cardigans and responsibilities). The LBMS takes hold, and the Georgia drawl starts to fade.
So, Why the Shift?
Several factors are likely at play. Increased migration brings new speech patterns to the mix, and the media's standardized accents might influence younger generations. Plus, let's not forget social mobility – sometimes, folks might downplay their regional accent for social acceptance or career progression. For instance, I befriended several Black military officers who were convinced that their Southern accent was viewed as folksy versus the endearing sentiments showered upon White regional counterparts. Systemic code-switching erased the historical notes from their voices in a manner that speaks volumes.
Is the Southern Drawl Doomed?
Naw, the South got summin' to say. This shift doesn't mean "the A" is losing its linguistic charm. Accents are like living things, constantly evolving. Despite a 33% Black populace in the state of Georgia, the study focuses exclusively on White speakers. Foundational research into the accents of Black and Brown citizens is warranted to provide a detailed landscape of this phenomenon.
The Takeaway: It Is What It Is
This study reminds us that language is a journey shaped by generations, migration, and even the media. While the classic Georgia drawl might be changing, it's a testament to the dynamic nature of language and the ever-evolving sounds of Southern culture. So, the next time you hear someone say "y'all" a little differently, remember – it's not just an accent; it's a story waiting to be told - and respectively heard.
I code-switch in mixed company.
A. Yep, don't judge me.
B. Nope, not this one.
C. What is code-switching?
Editor's Note:
Want to learn more about the SVS and LBMS? Check out the original research article. Do you believe that "the souf got sumin to say?" Holla at ya' girl in the comments...
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