Thursday, March 14, 2013

You Are Not From Here

Two posts in two days, guys.  I must be procrastinating.

I met with a professor yesterday to explore collaborations and in the process, had never felt more New England. 

Moi: ... the town is called Westford.

Prof CSI: Is that how you'd say it with the locals though?

Moi: Oh, you mean, west-fuhd?  

Prof CSI: That's more like it!

I tried to explain to him that none of my friends grew up with thick (or any) Bostonian accents (because we didn't live in Southie or SNL sketches- go 495!). But he said it was because I didn't move to the Baystate until I was 9.  The cutoff age for accents is 7.  He then went on a whole exposition on how Bostonians pronounce 'caught' and 'cot' the same, and while I get the mild distinction, I also think he pronounces one of the two words completely wrong.  He is, however, a really cool professor.  I hope I get to work with him down the line.

(discussing where the Bo' is)

Moi: It's about 20, 30 minutes north of Portland.

Prof CSI: Wow, north of Portland.  What's up there?

Moi: Well, most of the state is north of Portland.

Prof CSI: Yeah, but who lives there?

Fair point, Professor.

No comments: