Is Texas losing its identity?
L.A. Times
2013/01/18 17:00:00
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Don Graham, an English professor at the University of Texas at Austin, likes to tell the story of a student who once worked as a cowboy. "Wore hat and boots," Graham says. "He was the real deal."
At the end of the academic year, the student told Graham, "You were the only professor at UT I ever had who spoke English." ... "What he meant," Graham says, "was I was the only one who spoke his language."
And by language, the student meant talking Texan — the distinctive twang and drawl that becomes almost an attitude, from the first "howdy" to the last "thank you, kindly." Conversation can be as extreme as the landscape in Texas, where locals will tell you it gets hotter than a stolen tamale and the wind blows like perfume through a prom.
At the end of the academic year, the student told Graham, "You were the only professor at UT I ever had who spoke English." ... "What he meant," Graham says, "was I was the only one who spoke his language."
And by language, the student meant talking Texan — the distinctive twang and drawl that becomes almost an attitude, from the first "howdy" to the last "thank you, kindly." Conversation can be as extreme as the landscape in Texas, where locals will tell you it gets hotter than a stolen tamale and the wind blows like perfume through a prom.
Read More: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-...
Top Opinion
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DixieChick 2013/01/20 01:40:51
They'll never completely disappear. It just depends on the location in which the person lives.
My dad's ex's live in Texas (you laugh at that, and I'll kill you). They both have a strong Texan twang. As does he, and he's from Ohio. I guess spending your 20s in Texas an do that. Unfortunately, since graduating and spending more time with him... so do I. >:(
one of the prettiest sights in Texas is when the blue bonnets come alive
Oddly enough, I have more of a Texan twang than my Texan dad, and I was born in Virginia. That's probably because I listen to so much Texas music. So don't worry, Texas, you're still loved.
I live in Texas. I grew up in Texas. I worked very hard to get rid of the lazy twang that can come back when I am tired or telling a great story.
That twang does not sound very smart. It is not an indicator of intelligence by any means, but many people will judge based on it.