Midwesterners in the U.S must speak the real American English.Their speech do not contain much slang or colloquialisms.Their English appears to be bland-no add ons- just straight English.I have had many contacts with profs and folks from Indiana,Michigan,Ohio,Iowa and other areas of the heartland and their style of English is direct.Interestimgly enough,Sarah Palin's straight shooting (no pun intended) talk seem to be indicative of a Midwest factor.Interviewees afterher classic performance at the debate were quick to point out her commonality in speech and values with the Midwest.I suspect that the Midwesterners and Alaskans share commonalities: isolation from big city cosmopolitan influences, a work ethic based on lutheran protestantism ,and a collective manifest destiny mentality. Midwesterners are really in the middle literally.And as the Cross-cultural dude on tips,I am also postulating a Germanic carryover.I found a Swedish carryover of a different kind in Lindsborg,Kansas. In future posts I will comment on why the Connecticut river separates people who say "Pack de car" from "Park the car." Michael Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- To make changes to your subscription contact:
Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
