Growing up in Southeast Texas, my education on Europe was minimal. Trends were “European.” There were a few things noted about food and traditions in certain countries, but otherwise that was about it. Coming here for the second time, I have learned how much pride “Europeans” have in their own individual countries.
Some of my friends I have met here include: Jo – Brittish, Lloyd-Welsh and Claire-Scottish. I was speaking with Lloyd and told him I could tell Claire’s accent was different, but that I could not decipher any difference between his and Jo’s. I was then taken aback by the look of hurt in his eyes. He welled up with pride and began to tell me how much he loved his country, how much he wished people knew more about it, that there is a whole Welsh language and how different his accent is from Jo’s.
I was shocked for a moment. I am a Texan, born and raised, and full of Texas pride. And yet, I take pride when I am able to disguise my heavy southern drawl. I am not ashamed but I don’t want to sound like a “hick” and thus be placed into some category by those with predispostions to the accent.
How does this make you feel? Would you be as hurt if someone told you they had never heard of your state/coutry? And finally, is Europe a whole? Or the sum of its parts?
-your fairly typical Southern Bell
