Word from Oz

Caleb, and Elise for that matter, are sounding more and more Australian.  I've wondered how it happens, I was told that Caleb would pick up the accent and now I'm beginning to see the start of it. 

For one thing, he is beginning to leave off the r sound when it really should be there.  For example, instead of saying Super he might say Supa.  This doesn't happen too often at this point, but it does occur.  When he doesn't hear what I've said he will often say, Pah-don  (pardon).  But since that is an expression he has learned here, he says it the way Australians say it.  The same for the word Custard.  He says Cus-tuhd. 

But the strange part is that if we were the Millas, Australians (some, not all) would call us the Millers.  Strange.  I know.  Often after a short a sound they will actually add an r.  So Caleb lines up under the Covered Outdoor Learning Area, which is called the C.O.L.A., but he pronounces it Coe-lar.  Alisa becomes Alisar, while Samantha becomes Samanthar.  But Spencer is Spen-sah, and well, Miller becomes Millah.  The added r sound is hardly universal.  I was talking about this to an Australian friend of mine who pronounces Miller as Milla, and Lisa as Lisa.  She said the r after the short a sounded like a characteristic of the American dialect to her. 

Author's Note:  I must reveal that I am from Texas, East Texas, and so I do not claim to have a telephone operator's pronunciation of words.  Nor do I have a pretty southern lilt.  What I have is a drawl, and it is hardly to be admired.

Comments

[Sarah's in the Midst of It]

Leslie, it has been a long time! I've thought about you this last week; P. was in Sydney at the Hillsong conference. I'm glad to hear that you're all doing well--we miss you guys. :)

[Sarah's in the Midst of It]

Leslie, it has been a long time! I've thought about you this last week; P. was in Sydney at the Hillsong conference. I'm glad to hear that you're all doing well--we miss you guys. :)

[Sarah's in the Midst of It]

Leslie, it has been a long time! I've thought about you this last week; P. was in Sydney at the Hillsong conference. I'm glad to hear that you're all doing well--we miss you guys. :)

[Sarah's in the Midst of It]

Leslie, it has been a long time! I've thought about you this last week; P. was in Sydney at the Hillsong conference. I'm glad to hear that you're all doing well--we miss you guys. :)

[Dev]

Hey! I have family in Australia and I've visited there before. It's gorgeous and the people are so friendly there! I want to go back soon. Have you taken the kids (and the husband!) to Steve Irwin's zoo yet?? It's incredible! Definitely a must-see. They walk around with the animals and even let you in some of the enclosures for one-on-one encounters!

[tammara]

Paul moved to Texas (DFW) just before 6th grade (he grew up in Alaska, Maine, and N. Carolina) - one would think that would be too late to acquire any local accent - but not so! He drawls occasionally, just like a real Texan! He likes to say it was because he was born here (even though he moved to Alaska at 3 months, lol).

[robin]

So, are you anywhere near the point of thinking you could stay there permanently? Or, are you still hopeful at the prospect of coming home in a few years? I can't wait to hear Caleb and Elise talk. Can you post any more video??

Hope you are enjoying yourself so much!

[kelli]

Leslie!!!

Glad to see you posting again :) I have you in bloglines so I don't miss anything (although I had nothing to contribute to the movie reviews- sorry)

I went to Europe the summer I graduated and did the same weird thing. It's kindof cute- although for me, it didn't go over well when I got home in the midst of valley girl fever!