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| Yankee Primer - |
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| Dealing With Y'all, Grits, and the Language Barrier- |
| This section is a helper sort of thing, directed particularly toward actors and actresses who are not native to the south, but who are by their profession called upon to portray those who are. It's Y'all, pronounced Yawl, not "You All." Y'all is a contraction. Southerners are big on contractions. They are an integral part of "lazy speech", brought on by the heat and humidity. It is just too hot to use all of those words, as fast as most of you do, thus contractions. Y'all means all of you. It is never, not once, ever used in relation to one person, such as when addressing one's date; "my how handsome or beautiful y'all look tonight." That is totally incorrect and would be considered gauche. Y'all always refers to a group. Always. Y'all be sure to tell your writers, producers and directors, the next occasion you have to portray Colonel Beauregard Claghorn Rutherford, or Miss Patience Goodloe Rockingham. __________ Grits is both singular and plural. Grits should never be referred to as "them," or "they." One grain is not a "grit." To appreciate grits, it might help to know what it is. Grits is finely ground corn. Grits is quite tasty too, especially when served with lots of butter, and some of Grandmother's great big ole skillet biscuits. Add a couple of eggs, fried or scrambled to your fancy. Aw, c'mon, forget the cholesterol this once! We are on an adventure, so stop counting calories. Now, add a slice of Tennessee or Virginia cured ham, and maybe a sausage pattie or two, and some real cane syrup. Yeah boy! Now that is some fine eating! Try that, and you will be well on the road to becoming a Southerner, at least by adoption, in no time at all. __________ Dealing with the Language Barrier - The Southern dialect is distinct, and unique. Your employers are transferring quite a few of you to the south, maybe not in droves, but in substantial numbers. It is important to learn the language. It is essential to acceptance! The following site is included to assist you in this task. It is genuinely hoped that you will find it beneficial. How to Speak Southern |
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| Mississippi River Bridge at Vicksburg |