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Discussion: Louisiana accents and language...

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CarlyQ	Louisiana accents and language... Sep 7 2008, 10:12 PM EDT I almost turned the program in the first 5 minutes when Sam referred to Sookie as "cher" He pronounced it like it's spelled. It's pronounced 'Sha,' like shack without the ck. That is a huge no-no here in Louisiana. I'm glad I watched it, I liked the characters, I just hope someone in Hollywood tells the producers how Louisianians speak! Post reply 6 out of 7 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you? Keyword tags: None
southernlady6585	1. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 7 2008, 11:42 PM EDT I definitely agree! While I'm not from Louisiana, I am from the South. The accents sound like what Hollywood thinks Southerners should sound like. I hope the creators of the show will take into consideration these posts and will take the advice of those from Louisiana on this forum. Other than the accents, I thought the show was awesome and can hardly wait for the relationship between Sookie and Bill to develop. Looking forward to next week!! Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Bella-Angelique	2. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 3:39 AM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 8 2008, 3:39 AM EDT Perhaps that is the way Sam's family does pronounce it, as the actor is actually from Louisiana. Post reply 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
CriticalAbuse	3. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 9:19 AM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 8 2008, 9:19 AM EDT When reading the books, I didn't think much about the accent they used. I'm British and truth be told, I was never sure what a Southern accent sounded like anyway. So, it was kind of surprising when I started watching the trailers and heard them talk. For people like me we won't pick up what is right or wrong and of course, to some people that might be considered to be wrong as we then get the wrong impression about Southerners. In the end, an accent is always just an accent to me, but I couldn't help except smile at the way Sam pronounced Bon Temps. =) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Reginabee	4. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 10:20 AM EDT Let me start off by saying I am from and currently live in South Carolina. Having never been to Louisiana, I am certainly no expert in the correct pronunciation of Chere in Louisiana but I CAN tell you that even in one state there can be many different "forms" of southern accent. Coastal Carolina natives have a different accent and way of pronouncing some words in comparison to people from mid and northern South Carolina. As I mentioned in another thread, I think that Stephen, Ryan and Anna are doing an excellent job with their southern accents for a Brit, an Aussie and a New Zealander. Post reply 3 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
speare	5. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 10:52 AM EDT Reginabee is correct about regional accents. Within twenty miles of my town, the accent varies considerably simply because it goes from rural to urban in the nearby large city. And in Louisiana, you have the Cajun accent as well. Alan Ball is from the South himself. That's part of what attracted him to the books. If you live in a small town in northern Louisiana, you may have a good idea whether the accents are correct. Of course, here in cyberspace, we have no way of knowing whether you're really from a small town in northern Louisiana, or just from Chicago and blowing smoke. Post reply 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
CarlyQ	6. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 11:15 AM EDT I'm actually from Southwest Louisiana...and currently Watching Hurricane Ike very closely... buty anyway, I didn't even think about different regions... I have no idea how Northern Louisiana pronounces "cher" We don't put an "E" on the end of it here either. Did they mention what Parish they are in? I really did love the show... the characters are so rich... Tara is my favorite so far. I watched it twice last night. The accent thing is just one of my pet peeves and now I'm on a mission to find how how the rest of Louisiana pronounces words. Post reply 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Reginabee	7. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 11:18 AM EDT ".... The accent thing is just one of my pet peeves and now I'm on a mission to find how how the rest of Louisiana pronounces words. " LOL! Please let us know. I'm curious now, too. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
speare	8. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 1:07 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 8 2008, 1:07 PM EDT Carly, hope you all do OK down there. Ike looks like a real SOB. Post reply 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
CarlyQ	9. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 2:56 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 8 2008, 2:56 PM EDT Thank you so much speare... you would be surprised at how many people don't care... they wonder why we don't just move. Easier said than done. Hopefully we won't have to leave, we just barely got back from a mandatory evacuation with Gustav. Not fun!! On a good note, I might just get some first hand conversation with North Louisianians. Maybe someone will call me "chere" lol Post reply Do you find this valuable?
CarlyQ	10. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 2:58 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 8 2008, 2:58 PM EDT "LOL! Please let us know. I'm curious now, too." If Ike continues his route, I might find out sooner than later. I'll let you know. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
speare	11. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 9:43 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 8 2008, 9:43 PM EDT Well, I'd say you should be so lucky, but you'll be luckier in this particular case if it doesn't happen. They you can find someone to call you "chere" at your leisure. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyesque	12. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 8 2008, 11:04 PM EDT "I'm actually from Southwest Louisiana...and currently Watching Hurricane Ike very closely... buty anyway, I didn't even think about different regions... I have no idea how Northern Louisiana pronounces "cher" We don't put an "E" on the end of it here either. Did they mention what Parish they are in? I really did love the show... the characters are so rich... Tara is my favorite so far. I watched it twice last night. The accent thing is just one of my pet peeves and now I'm on a mission to find how how the rest of Louisiana pronounces words. " Carly - Bon Temp has been set in Renard Parish...in the much of the episode, Jason sports a shirt that says "Renard Parish" Im from the Houston area, so we dont get too much exposure to Louisiana accents, although Im sure that changed after Hurricane Katrina, as a good portion of New Orleans moved here. But Ive heard "cher" pronounced a variety of ways. Im endlessly fascinated by accents, Southern as well as British. I thought most of the accents done by everyone in the show was very well done...some maybe more exaggerated than others...I dont get too worked up about 'correct' accents as long as the actor gets teh inflections right. I think everyone did a good job of doing that too, but Im hoping as the show progresses, everyone gets more comfortable with their accents. Sometimes I wondered if theyd didnt feel uncomfortable with how they had to say things. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
SouthernRoots	13. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 12:46 AM EDT Aubreyesque - I couldn't agree more!! I have traveled at some point or another through out all regions of Louisiana, and you would not believe how the accents vary from region to region and even within a region!!! .....not to mention those areas that touch the various State Lines of Texas, Arkansas & Mississippi - They Really are diverse! Considering that - I thought the accents were not too far off of target. One thing that I DO know that is the same through ALL of the South (No Matter what State) is Southern Hospitality! SO Carly Q - I hope Hurricane Ike doesn't make you have to experience it first hand, but if so - you'll be in good hands with some southern hospitality from Northern Louisianians! Take care! Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
BonTemps	14. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 12:46 PM EDT I live in Monroe which is about 30 minutes away from where the fictional Bon Temps should be. I was literally cringing when I heard some of the accents that they were trying to pull off in the trailer. It had the potential to completely ruin it for me. After watching the show, I found the accents weren't too terrible (except for Tara's) and I will definitely watch the next episode. As for the "cher" comment, I didn't find anything wrong with it although he put a little to much emphasis on the "r". But I don't come across too many people who insert french vernacular into their conversation where I live. You would definitely find that a bit further south though. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
bobbikaye	15. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 1:38 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 9 2008, 1:38 PM EDT Reginabee, There are many accents in Louisiana as said here. But there is only ONE cajun accent. I'm from Lafayette Louisiana, which is the heart of cajun country and I just have to say that if you are going to pretend to be from a certain place, you should try to get it right. "Cher" is short for "mon cheri" in french, which has come to be a "slang" term of endearment to us Cajuns. When we see a beautiful new baby, we say "sha", when we see an old friend struggling we may say, it's ok "sha", an old person will call everybody "sha" or it can be used romantically also. I agree that Hollywood should know more about the subjects they are portraying. Just thought I'd add my two cents. Oh! And CarlyQ I say Death to Hurricane Ike but I'm not going anywhere either way!!! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
1Duckie	16. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 1:50 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 9 2008, 1:50 PM EDT I think it would have been funny if Sam pronounced it "CHAIR". Post reply 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
CarlyQ	17. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 7:11 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 9 2008, 7:11 PM EDT "Reginabee, There are many accents in Louisiana as said here. But there is only ONE cajun accent. I'm from Lafayette Louisiana, which is the heart of cajun country and I just have to say that if you are going to pretend to be from a certain place, you should try to get it right. "Cher" is short for "mon cheri" in french, which has come to be a "slang" term of endearment to us Cajuns. When we see a beautiful new baby, we say "sha", when we see an old friend struggling we may say, it's ok "sha", an old person will call everybody "sha" or it can be used romantically also. I agree that Hollywood should know more about the subjects they are portraying. Just thought I'd add my two cents. Oh! And CarlyQ I say Death to Hurricane Ike but I'm not going anywhere either way!!! " That reminds me... the other guy who's name was Lafayette. We pronouce it Laffy-ette. I don't know... maybe I'm overly sensitive to it because so many Louisianians are portrayed sooo badly. Our heritage is taking a beating by the up and coming generations... they just don't care to know cajun french anymore. I think it's sad. And I'm with you completely on the Hurricane Ike thing... looks like we might get a break on this one... for now. That might be my new Mantra for the week... Death to Hurricane Ike!!! By the way, bobbikaye, you explained the "sha" thing very well. A little something that everyone might find interesting, We have a lot of "T's" here, Like a junior will be called "T-Bob" it's short for Little. It comes from petite and the cajun slang got shortened to just "T." You still hear a lot of people say, "Aw, sha T bebe." It usually means "Sweet Little Baby" My step brother is a T. I used to hate it, but as I get older I'm wishing I heard cajun spoke more often. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
CarlyQ	18. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 7:13 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 9 2008, 7:13 PM EDT "I live in Monroe which is about 30 minutes away from where the fictional Bon Temps should be. I was literally cringing when I heard some of the accents that they were trying to pull off in the trailer. It had the potential to completely ruin it for me. After watching the show, I found the accents weren't too terrible (except for Tara's) and I will definitely watch the next episode. As for the "cher" comment, I didn't find anything wrong with it although he put a little to much emphasis on the "r". But I don't come across too many people who insert french vernacular into their conversation where I live. You would definitely find that a bit further south though." I'm glad you understood what I was talking about. You know I know alot of people who just can't watch "The Closer" becasue of Kyra Sedgwick's horrible interpretation of a Southern accent. I knew I couldn't be the only one sitting at home cringing. lol Post reply Do you find this valuable?
bobbikaye	19. RE: Louisiana accents and language... Sep 9 2008, 9:48 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 9 2008, 9:48 PM EDT LOL CarlyQ, come on now, I LOVE the Closer.....thank yew, thankyaverymuch...... Anyway, good job on the "beb" thing. They all just need to come down to Festival International in Lafayette and let us show them a good time (that would be bon temps in french). LOL. I just hope the Hollywood people read this thing, they should just call me and you (yeah I know, grammar, blah blah blah) and we'd tell them a few real slang they could use, mais yeah cher! Post reply Do you find this valuable?

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