> I've read somewhere that native dialect of J. F. Kennedy
has the
> same identical features. He used to pronounce
/idea/ and similar
> words with a final /-r/, and to have a
plenty of /-ah-/.
> *** JFK's accent was educated and elite,
two factors I did
> mention in my assessment of
dialects. His pitch was also higher,
> smoother, and
softer.
IMO the Kennedy family have their own dialect. I've travelled all
over Massachusetts and I have yet to speak to anyone with the same
kind
of accent. What's most interesting to me is that people in the
far
northwestern part of the state have a southern accent. Last year
I was in a
town called Williamstown (IIRC) and it sounded like I was
in the deep
south.
*** I think if you
had been present at Harvard when JFK attended
you might have heard
similar accents. Also, Williamstown in the
Berkshires is home to
Williams College and attracts Mohawk Trail
leaf gawkers in autumn and
Tanglewood audiences in summer.
This might account for the
large number of southern accents
you
heard. Or maybe all the folks there
are readying themselves to
vote for Edwards in the upcoming primary
<< grin >>.
Regards,
Gerry