I can't tell someone's *accent* on-line but I can get a hint about where
they may be from by the words they use or how they spell them.

An example is the word wind.  Heather from the UK used this word earlier
this week when she was describing a gassy baby.  The first time I read
about someone "winding a baby", I thought "winding a clock".  It took my
mind a few minutes to figure out this meant to burp a baby and that it is
pronounced like "the wind blows" not "wind the clock".  Wind is also used
to describe flatulence (break wind) or being gassy.  Of course, Americans
(and others) and little ones have numerous names for these various body
functions and I won't go into that!

Other words that key me in-rubbish, boot, bonnet, flavour,
colour,favourite.  I think Canada? UK? Oz (down under)? I'm glad our local
LC spent some time in England because she has been helpful in interpreting
these words when they come up on the list.  And it also took me a few
minutes to figure out that Oz doesn't necessarily mean Kansas.

If you heard me speak, you'd hear a slight Southern Draw.  You may see it
as I write.   I try to catch myself.  I have a habit of saying "fixin' ta"
instead of "about to", due to spending my adolescence and very early
adulthood in the Deep South.  That draw becomes very strong again when I
visit relatives in Texas and Louisiana.

Thanks for the break from wrapping Christmas gifts.  And I don't want to
forget to say Christmas Blessings to you and your loved ones.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Birth and Breastfeeding Resources  http://www.childbirth.org/bbfr
Manhattan, KS  USA
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