The University of Texas at Austin

Arts & Humanities - Research  RSS

  • Do you speak Texan?

    Do you speak Texan?

    By Jessica Sinn, College of Liberal Arts
    Published: May 7, 2012

    Despite drastic changes to the iconic accent, most Texans will continue to use their twang in the right situation, says linguist Lars Hinrichs.

    Read this story

    • Quote 2
      Kat said on Sept. 21, 2012 at 11:33 p.m.
      In the 70's my uncle had a friend that taught linguistics at a university in CA (UCLA or USC dunno which one). He wanted to show how dialectic (Texan) changes over generations in a family that was raised in the same place (in this case Austin). He had my grandmother, mother and me read from the same story (and for the life of me I can't remember anything about this... just what my mother told me)and the result was (as you can imagine) my grandmother had a stronger accent than my mother, and my mother had a stronger accent than me. Grandma said "caint" while my mother and I said "can't" and so on.
    • Quote 2
      Erika said on Aug. 21, 2012 at 12:37 p.m.
      I'm a 25 year old female teacher who was born an' raised on a ranch in West Texas. My parents an' grandparents all talk with a thick accent. They are all ranchers except for me. I went to school and became a teacher in England. Every so ofter I speak in a soft rolling accent but when I'm mad, boy howdy, stay clear. My students look at me because when I'm frustrated,my thick West Texas accent comes out. It all really depends and good article by tha' way.
  • Research Features

    Thank you kindly
    Thank you kindly
    Is the Texas twang fixin’ to die out? Not necessarily, says Lars Hinrichs, assistant...
    Comments Off No Comments
    The door to opportunity
    The door to opportunity
    Each year the Harry Ransom Center hosts undergraduate interns sponsored by various...
    Post a comment Comments (2)
    Where undergrads find a spark for creativity
    Where undergrads find a spark for creativity
    Whether a first-year student or a graduating senior, students can explore and be...
    Post a comment Comments (1)
    Got it in writing: A surprising Bronze Age discovery
    Got it in writing: A surprising Bronze Age discovery
    This story originally appeared on the Further Findings research blog. Listening...
    Comments Off No Comments