Law Students

Swimming in Small Ponds: The Peculiarities of Etymology and an Overview of the Elements of Culture

By AndreaKWelker

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My upstairs neighbor and I share a similar story: we?re both from small towns, went to school in larger cities, and last year, rented a flat in the same duplex when we started our careers.  Just last week, we were sitting on her balcony enjoying the beautiful weather of this Appalachian river valley in the springtime, the view of the charming city park across the street (and its various patrons) and, of course, a few beers.  During this time, we compared notes on being young professionals in our new community. 

One of the quirks we discussed involved differences in speech and language, and how they affect our work.  Being from Kentucky, I?m certainly used to the accent which, when thick enough, can be nearly impossible to understand.  There are linguistic similarities throughout the South, such as the infamous use of ?ya?ll.?  (I actually say ?you all? instead.  I realize, in English, the plural of you is simply ?you,? but it?s less precise.  And I?m a Kentuckian, after all.)  However, rural Eastern Kentucky has a distinct dialect from other parts of the state that goes far beyond the hollow (pronounced ?holler?).  Unfamiliarity with regional phrases and pronunciations can be frustrating, confusing and, in general, interferes with our ability to effectively communicate with our clients and opposing parties.  (Obviously, effective communication is pivotal in practicing law.) 

Depending on the geographical area, the same words can have different meanings.  For instance, ?dinner? refers to the mid-day meal in Eastern Kentucky dialect and in other rural areas of the country (as it did in Europe until about the 18th century).  ?Supper? is the evening meal.  My neighbor only recently learned this when she didn?t order an evening meal for her patient, because the patient told her she had eaten ?dinner.?  We?ve learned other new phrases, such as ?hair cream? (conditioner), ?hot dogs with sauce? (chili dog) and, certainly my all-time favorite, the disability category of ?nerves? (anxiety/depression).

Full post as published by Ms. JD on April 21, 2010 (boomark / email).