The elusive Mainer accent in its natural habitat.
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- I grew up in Maine. I did not inherit the accent, but have been fascinated by it all my life. I was having lunch today in Searsport, and in the booth behind me was the most beautiful Maine accent I've ever heard. Of course I sketchily hit record, and subsequently trimmed the fat for your viewing pleasure.
For all of you who miss Maine, here's a little taste of home.
(Pic possibly unrelated of Belfast Variety)
If your breakfast sandwich comes from a store that looks like this, you know it's gonna be good
No it won't.
Either wicked good or soggy english muffins, no in-between
Friggin-A
@@raevenrises7595yes it will
Gas station food?
After the long pause I was waiting to hear gossip about the weather. I was not disappointed.
This is the best example of a Maine accent I’ve found in UA-cam so far 🤣 definitely felt like I was at my local gas station just listening to morning banter
reminds me generic 18-19th centuries sailsmen speech from movies.
That would be bantah
Other than a few words where the pronunciation is just a little off, this is pretty much dead on lunenburg county nova scotia. I had no idea that the maine accent was so much closer to ours than boston.
The trucker chatter during the Jay paper mill explosion is pretty great too, if far more vulgar.
@@angeltensey Exactly. Coastal Maine sounds like a mix of a sailor and formal english, plus a little added roughness.
Miss n love you gram n grandpa I miss hearing you talk like this..
I grew up in Maine and moved away just before I turned 16. I have returned to this video many times over the years, and each time I can't help but smile. Maine probably has the weirdest, most difficult to describe accent in the contiguous US, but it takes me back home whenever I hear it.
Idk I say it’s like if a Bostonian accent and a Texan accent had a baby
I grew up in Virginia and my grandparents have the old Richmond accent. I love hearing stuff like this -- it makes me feel closer to other Americans even if we're not from the same region. It's just comforting thinking about all the old folks around the country keeping these accents alive.
It seems like Maine (especially as you go farther up the coast or inland --- away from the Kittery and Kennebunkport areas) has more commonalities with Virginia and the Carolinas than with NJ or CT.
For one, look at the Scottish/English heritage that prevails in most of Maine, except for the areas that border Quebec. It is way different than the Italian/Puerto Rican influence that you'll find in (example) New Jersey. Maine, North Carolina, Idaho and just a handful of other states lead the country in Scottish-American heritage per capita. Also lots of Americans, who are of Scottish/English/Welsh heritage, simply identify as "American" and NOT with particular ethnic groups. This is most prevalent in places like West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. But, it is also VERY commonplace in a few Maine counties like Piscataquis and Aroostook (where I was born).
Maine is also the most traditionally conservative state in all of New England. New England's Bible Belt pretty much covers three counties in Maine, closer to the New Brunswick line, like Aroostook and Washington. Drove through with a co-worker 2 years ago, after spending several years in Florida, and was surprised at all the churches (many of them of a Baptist denomination) that lined US Route 2 between Bangor and the Canadian border, or US Route 1 in Washington & Aroostook Counties. Then, I remembered my early childhood in The County.
The Tidewater accent is quite similar at least when it comes to rhoticity.
A European friend of mine has said that the Maine accent sounds very much like Australian. Being from Maine myself I kind of wrote it off, but if you listen to this and think Australian accent in your head, you can kind of see it. Neato!
I’ve heard it’s thought that the Maine accent comes from the East Anglian dialect in England. Yorkshire English sounds reminiscent of Maine accents to me also
@@xgamerx360x I'm from East Anglia in the UK and although the old East Anglian accent is mostly gone in this area I remember hearing it as a kid, and yeah the Maine accent definitely reminds me of it
I was around Aussies a lot when I was overseas and yes, I started sounding a little like them when I came back to the US. The accents have similar roots, it seems, since Australians are descended from English prisoners. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if that were confirmed true.
This is music to my ears.
Yessah born and raised here I love my Mainer accent
J Powell ayuh
Do young people talk like this. Im from ma im in my 20s i inherited a Boston accent. It would be sad to hear this slang die out.
I'm from Maine and I don't really have this accent
@@Oddity2994 it depends where in maine you're from
@@Oddity2994 Same. It’s probably because I live in Wells which is on Southern Maine. My parents are also both from central Mass.
That’s a Maine mini-mall. A hardware store, a restaurant, and corner store. Wouldn’t be surprised to find a barber tucked in there too.
gas, oil, nails, beer, bait, breakfast, bread and in the fall all of your hunting wardrobe needs.
I grew up in Rhode Island, but I love Maine it's God's country, and I love the people of Maine, they are some of the kindest most dignified people I've ever met. It's a place where a man's word and a handshake still stand for something...
Kaylin Cook hu”man” means a woman or a man..... splitting hairs gets old
@@kaylintracy6911 He was using an old saying. Why does everything have to contain women in it? I highly doubt he was trying to be sexist of any nature, let it be and don't try to start things just cause he didn't site every gender in one little saying.
Women in Maine can be tough and Smart at a lot of things. Don't make us look like we're sensative over a saying.
Neil Pare we were until all you god damned democrats came up and legislated us to death. First district hardly holds a native and leads the second around by the nose. Quit spending our god damned money. Quit standing in our way when we try to get drugs and poverty under control. Quit advocating for welfare and devaluing the working class with taxes to favor the poor.
@@brad349miller chill out dude
Just want to say as a Mainer, thanks 🙏🏻 we have the lowest violent crime rate in the country for a reason, and it’s not just because there’s only a million and a half of us lol
wow this threw me back, i grew up in maine and all my memories of my nana and grandpa's voices are just this....
I have known this man since I was a little girl. He was a long time family friend.
His name was Steve, unfortunately he passed away earlier this year...
I don't believe he was ever knowledgeable of this but would have definitely got a chuckle out of it...
😌
Yes I always knew his first name from their conversation but never saw him again as I don't live in the area anymore. I got the impression that he was a good guy.
@@kingrichad He was indeed, always there to help and not asked for anything in return. :) I happened to come across this again from another search I was doing and smiled...It was nice to hear again.
This is an example of why teachers should only be hired from local areas. Regional culture is important.
DAMN YE, WINSLOW
Pattinsons accent was all over the place. He wandered from a rough Boston accent to a mild english accent and then to unaccented American. But never settled on a good Maine accent.
@@jimyeats tbf there's a reason for that...
@@lostuser1094 Due to the character he was playing? Yeah that's true.
I always knew us as Maineiacs, as opposed to "Mainers". You won't hear many folks with Maine accents in Belfast anymore, but you will at Belfast Variety. Belfast's native accent left years ago. The city is now like Disneyland, replete with tacky, giant rubber duckies in the harbor and an elephant on the Colonial Theatre's roof. The house I grew up in became a bed and breakfast. I think the ones who bought the house had California accents. We Maineiacs have seen an invasion of flatlanders over the decades.Their invasion displaced a lot of real Maine and the way of life that was once Maine.
I talk to people all over the country who say they went to Maine. I say, oh you went to Kennebunkport and Ogunquit? They say, “Yes” how did you know?! I shake my head and say…..Too bad, you never got to the real Maine. Some understand, some don’t.
Gawd, chummey, those flatlandahs are all the same ain’t they?
My grandfather always used to say if you wanna go to hell fast you go to belfast.
Of course that's what you'll see if that's what you want to see. There are still plenty of locals with accents like this in even the most touristy towns in Maine.
As a non-native english speaker, I have to say that this is one of the hardest accents that I've come across by now
A lot of Americans struggle with it, too.
you dont notice your accent until you listen to other people...
Perfect example of the most common regional accent in Maine. There are other varieties.
Hard not to think of Lorne Armstrong when I hear this accent
I hear this accent at work all the time (I picked it up over the years too and use it whenever I'm working)
I love the maine accent
This actually reminds me of the British rural Suffolk accent :)
It is New England!
A lot of Maine residents are actually descendants of the French Canadians :) We have that bit of off french twang to our New England accents.
This is so comforting. I moved from New England to North Carolina recently and it’s got me missing how people talk, I have such a hard time understanding the southern accents here. The picture is from Belfast Variety, gas station in my hometown with the best pizza 💕
👍
To be fair, though, North Carolina accents are harsher on the ears than most Northern accents. I find this observation is true for many Southern accents, not just North Carolina, but the Carolina accents are the harshest-sounding of all Southern dialects (at least to my delicate ears). I can’t really understand North Carolina accents either and I moved to southwest VA at 10 years old. You’d think I’d have an easier time than average with deciphering their speech, but sometimes I don’t have a clue. I previously resided in PA and I still have the Pennsylvania accent in my speech as the base for my vocal pattern. I did this deliberately so I could be more easily understood across the country. Of course I have the rare occasion where I drop a redneck and say something in the Appalachian accent, which is still the hardest for me to understand after 20 years. Plus, in all honesty, most of the Southern accents are grating in comparison to this one (GA is the exception). The Maine accent is by far much easier for me to figure out and understand. I agree, it’s just so comforting and warm.
These are my opinions, not facts. However, being an autistic person means I have sensitivities regarding audio stimuli than the average person. Keep this in mind as you read my observations.
Hey neighbor! I'm a mainer in NC too, but I moved here about 10 years ago now. I grew up not too far away, near Gardiner.
i live down the road from this store BUB
Frickin right you do bub.
Ayuh, I'm down heyah in penobscot county
Boy don't I miss, Stevie (The man talking) He was a good old guy. Miss chatting with him at toziers.
Yeah! We were at Dino's that day
I would recognize Steve talking no matter where he was. :)
The most Mainer place, a gas station on the side of the road surrounded by trees.
Ayuh, love this. I want to retire in ME. Goals.
That's BV High Street!! I only clicked on this because I recognized the building in the thumbnail and it took me a sec to be like "....Wait that's right down the road a piece!!"
AND after watching I was getting confused by reading the subtitles but if I just looked away I understood everything perfectly lmao. I don't quite talk with THAT much of an accent...yet... But it's normal to me. Eyyet deeyah, there ain't no mistakin 'er.
Omg my grandparents speak like this
This is about the only video on UA-cam beside the lobsterman that really captures our accent, maybe some beach ridge or oxford races lol
I’ve always wanted to move to Maine when I’m a bit older and more established in life, it’s so intriguing because I’ve never heard of a Maine accent before. This accent reminds me of the accent from the video game series Fable. 💀
I miss Maine.
try going to Cambridge Maine. There's a pocket of people there all with an accent and it's not a down easter accent which is different from the inland accents.
Just stumbled on this as I am researching family history. We are from Plymouth Devon/Cornwall in the UK, (Cawsand / Kingsand area, fisherman). This accent is the same accent more or less.... This what is called a west country dialect in Great Britain.
dan670844 Isn't there something of around like 11 different accents in your land?
dan670844 I thought the Maine accent came from East Anglian speakers. Isn’t the West Country accent more rhotic?
Reminds me of home. ❤ Born and raised, here to stay.
This is proof that Tony Gwyne did a proper job with his Maine accent in Pet Sematary by Stephen King
My parents owned a convenience store in the town of Cornish years ago and this was the similar banter you'd here from the regulars hanging out by the coffee pots. Brings back some memories.
which store ?
@@az0970449Cornish Variety, right on Route 25. Now Kristas Restaurant
I love the accent... my grandmother Elizabeth Johnson was from Wayne Maine, I was the first generation not born in New England. My Dads mom was from Brooklyn, NY loved that too. :)
I am a Maine Native and I have to say this is exactly how mainers talk girls not as much as men
TheUA-camAddict
Maine native here as well. I always thought it was odd that us men talk with a much heavier accent than most females.
i would say that older women have a much more smooth and pronounced mainer accent that almost sounds southern
Same tho I completely agree lol
Mainer ladies honestly have their own separate distinct Mainer accent! Where as man have a drawl to it the woman folk have a more nasally sound I’ve noticed at least here in Franklin County!
I’m from Massachusetts. My buddy has a place up in Maine and when we stopped in Lee to gas up the Atvs (using one of those old gas pumps) I heard an older gentleman speaking just like this. Pretty cool.
This sounds Australian lol. This is awesome. This has got to be the best accent ever.
Grew up in northern Maine, still am residing here, didn't realize northern Mainers have a slight accent with certain phrases due to me being born and raised here lol, nice to hear other areas of my home state's accents.
Friend of mine is from Fort Kent, and he says “gaz up my car”
Idk why I find it funny as hell
@@usefulpineapple4538 Lol my friend thinks it's funny how I say "yesterday" bc I pronounce it as "yes-tah-dae", peanut butter as "peanut buttah", etc with others lol
Anybody trying to learn a Maine accent needs to watch this video.
I miss gas stations that looked like this
Listening to this for my current King binge read 😂
Mainers, you are so cool!!!! I love your accent!!!❤️
amazing, Mainer born and bred, you don't hear this type of speak to often anymore, but they are out there. I have the accent but not like that lol, thats old school right there.
My kid is in college down east, and trust me... it's going strong. I don't hear it below Camden much.
“Are you going to sell me some gas or what!?”
Makes me miss home
Recent transplant to Maine. Been here two years now up in Central Maine. Sounds like what I hear around town. I'm sure I'll be picking up some of the accent before long.
I grew up in Central maine and couldn't wait to leave when I was younger, now I love going back! Say hi to everyone for me!
Proud of my home state accent 😤
I love the Maine accent
saw a youtuber from a maine and i was disappointed they didn't have the accent, my grandpa was from maine so i know the accent well
The title to this video is beyond it's time.
Gunnah miss yah, Steve You be oneuvakind
lol, zapples. also their accent is very pretty.
"Me'n Jeffrey" - so typical. I grew up in Concord, Ma and all around me they would talk like this but I wasn't suppose to :)
My family made that town famous...lol
That is in fact the BV, (Belfast Variety)
Proud Mainer right here!!! Born and raised
Home sweet home!
Hey I know that gas station, I live like three minutes away from it!
this is some-good, by jeezis.
I tend to find that accent in older people or those up north
I thought I recognized that store! Hardware store attached to the convenience store that’s got a little kitchen in it.
Pretty sure this is just a Suffolk farmer from England on holiday in Maine. Uncanny.
Is it me or is the volume on this video wicked low? If it can be changed, I'd share it as it's awesome.
I was recording this audio from two booths over from the gentlemen having the conversation. It's not great quality because I was trying to be incognito about the recording.
everyone in miame talks over each other just how it is 2 different maine accents going at once sounds like gibberish
If you were in Searsport, sitting in a booth and recording this clip, why did you post a picture of Belfast Variety - a fine place to get a good meal, but not surprisingly, located in Belfast, not Searport?
Its just over the bridge, not that far.
I y’ohp my accent nevah dies. Jeepers mistah…Whatta darn shame thatta be.
Hey look it's Belfast Variety
Sounds a lot like Suffolk or Norfolk English accent
This how my dad talks 😂 I don’t have the heavy accent unfortunately
hahahaha my grandma has that same accent. It's hilarious.
this is the only good video on here about maine accents the rest are all junk its getting hard to find good old boys like this love talking to the about the old days
King of the Hill: Maine Edition 😂
I wish I had a maine accent I'm maybe going to move up to Kittery when I get older
Kevin Huynh that's not Maine you flatlandah, that's northern Massachusetts.
HSw1zzl3 Ha Ha Ha u calling a flatlander when I am actually from Georgia LOL btw u damn yankees rule man
***** no Mainers are better than me
***** I wish I was a Mainer. Oh btw did you know John O'Hurley is a Mainer
if you wanna here a real mainah you gotta go further than Kittery, try closer to bangor (pronounced bang or not banger)
this is how my grandpa sounds except his accent is even thicker and talks really fast
Richmond/ Dresden here. My Papa had the same accent. If that's what you call it.
If you need subtitles in an accent video due to inaudible volume, well.....
In this episode of is it Maine or Australia
Sounds very close to the Northern English accents. I like it a lot
new england vs old england
Born and raised near Bangor, still have the accent, but I’m bilingual now that I live in Texas.
Once saw Stephen King walking down the road visiting Bangor maybe 20 years ago. One tall, ugly dude - tough to miss lol.
I know where that store is lol
Looks like so many stores in so many Maine towns
B v in belfast
Is this the gas station in Newfield on Bridge Street? I owned a house at 305 for a time, looks like it.
Actually it's Belfast Variety. While not where the audio was recorded, it's definitely my favorite convenience store in the area
Is this down by medway area near millinocket?
Searsport
I was just there yesterday.
Probably the only northern state I could live in. They seem like nice folks like southerners are
PLUS THE ELLUSIVE MAJESTIC BED BUGS
This accent sounds closest to west country English, and East Anglian English.
how do you know
Only old people in Maine talk this way
Sounds like home
Ayuh!
*mainah
Nawt a whole lawt
Ima mainea comin stragaight fom wea the r’s dont egist great right?
kind of reminds me of the movie Dolorese Clairborne and the fake accents they had.
I thought SNL was being satirical
BV!!!! Lol