Cellar Scribblings

[Jeff Wrangler]

OK, I have another idea to explain the O thing.

How might an American pronounce "eau" as in eau de toilette? Or how do you think of, say, Julie Andrews pronouncing O?

Take those pronunciations, dial them back a bit, and then compare them to how the giant in Jack and the Bean Stalk would say "Fo" as in "Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum!"

That's a little bit like the difference between a Coastal O and a Minnesota O.

Believe me, I was completely unaware of this myself, until a friend in New Orleans told me that a coworker was marveling over my accent (which again, seriously, is not particularly strong!). "Did you get how she says 'Minnesoooohhhhhta?" was the comment. That's when I started to notice there was another way to pronounce that vowel.

Well, after five years of junior high and high school French, I pronounce eau as an English long o, because that's how we were taught to pronounce it, and I pronounce what the Giant says exactly the same way.

When Julie Andrews sings Do, Re, Mi in The Sound of Music, I hear a bit of an a in the o.

When I read your Minnesoooohhhhhta, I hear Marge Gunderson. ...   Of course, it's been a long time since I last saw Fargo.  

I remember from the barbecue. I wouldn't say you have an accent.

Ya think Chuck is tired of us hogging his blog with this topic?  

[serious crayons]

Well, after five years of junior high and high school French, I pronounce eau as an English long o, because that's how we were taught to pronounce it, and I pronounce what the Giant says exactly the same way.

The way we were taught was to shape your mouth like O but actually say E. Or was that for U, as in tu?

When I read your Minnesoooohhhhhta, I hear Marge Gunderson. ...   Of course, it's been a long time since I last saw Fargo.  

Yes, Marge does an extreme version of how Minnesotans do it. And by the way, Fargo the TV show on FX is pretty good..

Ya think Chuck is tired of us hogging his blog with this topic?  

Possibly. But Chuck is very kind and tolerant of conversational detours. 

[Jeff Wrangler]

The way we were taught was to shape your mouth like O but actually say E. Or was that for U, as in tu?

It's been a long time, of course, but that doesn't sound familiar to me for either word. 

Yes, Marge does an extreme version of how Minnesotans do it. And by the way, Fargo the TV show on FX is pretty good...

Somehow, I'm happy to know that about Marge. Oh, yaaa. 

I've heard that about the FX series, too.

Now I really want to see that movie again! 

[CellarDweller]

Possibly. But Chuck is very kind and tolerant of conversational detours. 

I enjoy them, so don't worry about stopping!

[serious crayons]

I enjoy them, so don't worry about stopping!

Thanks, Chuck! 

Yeah, I think Fargo the TV show is pretty good. I hate-watched Season 1. The production values were good, the acting was good, the cinematography was good, but it portrayed Minnesotans as people who talked funny and, with the exception of one character, were dim-witted unsophisticated idiots.

The second season didn't have that problem. It featured at least six or seven very smart and skillful Minnesotans (who talked funny).

I think you both would like it.

[Sason]

Here's a little taste of the accent in "Fargo".  Youbectha.  Yeah.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqAVuE524Gk[/youtube]

Well, they don't sound one bit of Swedish to me.

Just like....really really stupid. Yeah.

[Sason]

For the record, people here don't really talk like that.

Thats's a relief to hear! 

No problem! To find out the "real" temperature, you just double the number and add 32. 

Piece of cake! 

My health care premiums, however, are set to go up to something like $470 a month this year, with a $6,500 deductible. And they'd be $626 a month if the governor of Minnesota hadn't approved money for insurance companies to offer a 25 percent rebate for people who don't qualify for tax credits under Obamacare. I think a lot of people in other states are just screwed.

I don't really understand one word of this  (please don't bother to explain it to me, I have enough problems as it is  ), but I'm sure you'll find the Swedish system a lot cheaper and a lot easier.

So yes, please keep an eye out for job openings for English-speaking non-native journalists and I'll be ready to start packing! 

Will do! 

That's a beloved book here, too. I saw the movie years ago -- in the theater!! I have not seen the musical, though.

That's interesting. I didn't know the books were even translated to English, let alone read and loved.

[Sason]

From the musical Kristina från Duvemåla by Björn and Benny.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2idVI73ais[/youtube]

The song is Kristina talking to and questioning God, trying to reassure herself that he exists despite her doubts.

The lyrics are translated to English.

[Sason]

Ok, and the Swedes don't sound like the Swedish Chef.



Oh, wait....they don't?    Ok...nevermind!

[Sason]

Euuuf-dah.

Proper spelling: Usch då.