¶ Politeness and Indirectness
Southern communication often emphasizes politeness and indirect expression, especially when disagreeing or making requests. This creates longer, more cushioned statements than direct Northern speech patterns.
- Example:
- Northern Speaker: "That's wrong."
- Southern Pattern: "Well, I might could see it a little different."
- Example:
- Northern Speaker: "Can you help me move this?"
- Southern Pattern: "I hate to bother you, but would you mind helping me move this if you get a chance?"
Southern speakers often acknowledge relationships and connections before getting to business, even in professional settings.
- Example:
- Northern Speaker: "We need to discuss the budget."
- Southern Pattern: "How's your mama doing? Good, good. Now, when you get a minute, we might ought to talk about that budget."
¶ Double Modals and Auxiliary Constructions
Southern English uses double modal constructions that are grammatically incorrect in standard English but follow consistent patterns:
- Example:
- Standard English: "You should be able to do that."
- Southern Pattern: "You might could do that."
- Example:
- Standard English: "I would like to help."
- Southern Pattern: "I'd love to could help you."
- Example:
- Standard English: "We should probably leave."
- Southern Pattern: "We might ought to head on out."
¶ "Fixing To" and Future Constructions
Southern speakers use "fixing to" (often contracted to "fixin' to") to indicate immediate future action:
- Example:
- Standard English: "I'm about to leave."
- Southern Pattern: "I'm fixing to head out."
- Example:
- Standard English: "It's going to rain."
- Southern Pattern: "It's fixing to come a storm."
¶ Intensifiers and Emphasis
Southern speech uses specific intensification patterns that differ from standard English:
- Example:
- Standard English: "That's very good."
- Southern Pattern: "That's right good." / "That's mighty fine."
- Example:
- Standard English: "I'm really tired."
- Southern Pattern: "I'm plumb wore out."
- Example:
- Standard English: "It's completely broken."
- Southern Pattern: "It's torn all to pieces."
¶ Kinship Terms and Address
Southern speakers often use kinship terms for non-relatives as terms of respect or endearment:
- Example:
- Standard English: "Excuse me, could you help me?"
- Southern Pattern: "Honey, could you help me out?" / "Darlin', you got a minute?"
- Example:
- Standard English: "Yes, sir."
- Southern Pattern: "Yes, sir." / "Yes, ma'am." (used regardless of age difference)
¶ Storytelling and Context
Southern communication style often includes more context, background, and storytelling elements:
- Example:
- Northern Speaker: "Traffic was bad."
- Southern Pattern: "Well, you know how that construction's been going on down on Highway 9? I got caught up in all that mess, and wouldn't you know, there was a fender-bender right there at the exit."
Southern speakers often soften potentially harsh statements with qualifying language:
- Example:
- Direct: "You're late."
- Southern Pattern: "Looks like you might've got a little held up."
- Example:
- Direct: "That's expensive."
- Southern Pattern: "That's a little steep for my taste."
- Example:
- Direct: "I disagree."
- Southern Pattern: "I'm not sure I see it quite that way."
Specific word choices that are distinctly Southern without being stereotypical:
- "Reckon" instead of "think" or "suppose"
- "Carry" instead of "take" or "drive" ("I'll carry you to the store")
- "Cut off/on" for lights instead of "turn off/on"
- "Mash" instead of "press" (buttons)
- "Piece" for distance ("down the road a piece")
Southern speakers often use specific tag patterns to check understanding or agreement:
- Example:
- Standard English: "It's hot today, isn't it?"
- Southern Pattern: "It's hot today, don't you think?" / "It's right hot, ain't it?"
¶ Time and Scheduling Flexibility
Southern speech often reflects a more flexible approach to time and scheduling:
- Example:
- Northern Speaker: "I'll be there at 3 PM."
- Southern Pattern: "I'll be there around 3-ish, Lord willing and the creek don't rise."
- Example:
- Northern Speaker: "When should we meet?"
- Southern Pattern: "How about we get together directly after lunch?"
Situation: A Southern character declining an invitation.
- Dialogue: "Well, bless your heart for asking, but I'm afraid I might could have something else going on that evening. Let me check with mama and see what all we got planned."
Situation: A Southern character giving directions.
- Dialogue: "You're gonna want to head on down Highway 12 for a piece, and when you get to where the old Dairy Queen used to be—you'll see a big oak tree there now—you'll turn right. Can't miss it."
Situation: A Southern character disagreeing in a meeting.
- Dialogue: "That's an interesting way to look at it, and I appreciate you thinking it through. I'm just wondering if we might ought to consider another angle on this whole thing."