Eight Easy Steps to Speaking Appalachian

People in Appalachia have one of the most unique dialects in America. On The Front Porch, native speaker Rick Wilson teaches us eight ways to speak Appalachian.

1. Pronounce “pin” and “pen” the same

“They’re both ‘pins’ –  just deal with it,” Wilson says.

2. Unlike the deep South, pronounce your “r”

In fact, sometimes insert an “r” where it isn’t (example: “holler” for “hollow”)

3. Use some colorful idioms

From Wilson’s father: “That looks like a dog’s ass sewed up with a log chain.”

From Wilson’s grandmother: “Pert nigh but not plumb” = Pretty near but not all the way there

4. Use redundant pronouns

“Those people, they’re all crazy.” It’s for emphasis.

5. Use the outdated “A-prefix” and “demonstrative them” mostly to kid around

Phrases like “I’m a-fixin’ to die” and “How you like them apples” are used mostly to joke around and sound old-timey.

6. Proudly say the plural you – “y’all.”

Appalachian speech even has the double plural you – “all y’all” – as in “All y’all better get off my porch right now.”

7. NEVER say “I would reckon” or “I’d reckon.”

C’mon. It’s “I reckon.”

8. Double-negatives are cool. If Spanish speakers can use them, so can you.

Use your new Appalachian accent to fool people into thinking you’re less intelligent and nicer than you really are.

Hear these tips and more about our Appalachian accents on The Front Porch podcast on iTunes or however you listen to podcasts.

An edited version of “The Front Porch” airs Fridays at 4:50 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s radio network, and the full version is available above.

Share your opinions with us about these issues, and let us know what you’d like us to discuss in the future. Send a tweet to @radiofinn or @wvpublicnews, or e-mail Scott at sfinn @ wvpublic.org