Occam's Racecar ([info]nebulawindphone) wrote,
@ 2008-04-07 21:43:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Uncle Windphone wants YOU
Anyone reading this who's an honest-to-god Pittsburgh native — born and raised there?

I'm doing a course project on how Pittsburghers speak English, and I need some people who would be willing to answer a few questions. (I'm looking at the "needs washed" construction in particular, so I'm especially looking for folks who use that one a lot.)

Drop me a line if you'd be up for it.

(Post a new comment)


[info]hkitsune
2008-04-08 04:04 am UTC (link)
I don't know much, but this looks like you'll be able to find some broader demographic information:

http://community.livejournal.com/linguaphiles/3802866.html?nc=53

(Reply to this)


[info]threemilechild
2008-04-08 04:08 am UTC (link)
Hey!

I don't always speak like a Pittsburgher, but I drop "to be," as a habit. I've actually been thinking that I need to learn to speak with more of an accent; it's sad if everywhere sounds the same.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 04:12 am UTC (link)
Well, it's the "to-be"-droppers that I'm looking for. If you've got time to answer some questions, that would be awesome.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]earthly_gnome
2008-04-08 09:32 am UTC (link)
I'm in.

It's the one thing that drives my NY native wife crazy. I have never met a 'to be' verb I haven't dropped.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 02:27 pm UTC (link)
Awesome. I'm putting together a list of questions now; I'll send it your way in a day or two.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]threemilechild
2008-04-08 05:58 pm UTC (link)
I'm lenarat at gmail, and I have plenty of time.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 06:00 pm UTC (link)
Cool. I'll have the questionnaire ready in a day or two, and I'll send it your way when it is.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]mrfishes
2008-04-08 12:49 pm UTC (link)
You know me, I pick up accents like a sponge, and this is definitely one construction I have largely adopted...

You might also try [info]pittsburgh, there's a handful of natives there...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 02:31 pm UTC (link)
Well, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the construction, especially since you've got a background in linguistics yourself.

But for data, I'm trying to stick with "native speakers." It may not make a difference in the actual results, but it'll make them look a lot more convincing if I ever try to publish 'em.

(And yeah, I'll give the Pittsburgh community a shot if I can't drum up enough subjects here. Thanks.)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]mrfishes
2008-04-09 12:06 pm UTC (link)
A couple people I work with probably qualify (that is, they're locals, though I haven't specifically noted that construction in their speech---most of the time I spend noticing specific characteristics of the speech of my officemates, it's trying not to pick up the admin's heavy Boston accent...). If you send it to me, I'll pass it on.

BTW, I think there was something on either askme or [info]pittsburgh about the sociological history of the construction (its Scots & Irish roots and whatnot) a couple months ago....

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]tychoish
2008-04-08 01:41 pm UTC (link)
my mom might be able to help, though, I'm not sure she uses the "needs washed" construction very much (though it doesn't see alien to me, so maybe she does) but it's been 30 years and some change since she lived there...

kleindorf at gmail

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 03:39 pm UTC (link)
Hrm. Was that your mom's email address? I think I just confused the bejeezus out of her by writing to it as if it was you — one way or another, I got a very puzzled reply. :)

Oh well. We'll get it sorted out I'm sure. Thanks!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]tychoish
2008-04-08 03:55 pm UTC (link)
yeah, that was her email... sorry. :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 03:57 pm UTC (link)
No problem. I wrote her back and explained. Anyway, thanks for the help.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]scholarinexile
2008-04-08 01:53 pm UTC (link)
Sure, count me in. I've long thought the Pittsburgh dialect needed some linguistic attention.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]nebulawindphone
2008-04-08 02:26 pm UTC (link)
Awesome! I'm still futzing with my list of questions; I'll send it your way in a day or two.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]gwenaiver
2008-04-10 01:16 pm UTC (link)
I would, but I use infinitives or -ing's

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…