(This is a conversation I overheard in Brooklyn, NY, that reflects a Brooklyn accent and rhythm, grammatical quirks, idiomatic expressions, and English reductions.)
MAN: Howarya kids doin’?
WOMAN: My son? He wantsta sell his business.
MAN: His business? I didn’t even know he had a business! I thought he was workin’ in a store.
WOMAN: Naw, he’s partners with his friend. Been like that two years now. He’s a silent partner.
MAN: A silent partner don’t work! You sure he’s a silent partner? That’s a bad way ta do business. I thought he was somethin’... more like what your husband did.
WOMAN: Speculatin’?
MAN: Yeah, speculatin’. Whaddya think he did before he went into business?
WOMAN: Oh, he got a college degree—from Brooklyn College. In Accounting. Did real good in school, too. My husband an’ me, we helped set him up in business. Graduation present.
MAN: Your daughter don’t bother ya much, huh?
WOMAN: Naw, not her. Just my other kids… they want everything. School, music lessons—it never ends! They want this, they want that… they want everything!
MAN: Usedta be kids settled for one lesson... one!
WOMAN: My younger son? He wantsta take classes. Classes! They want the best—only the best.
MAN: Lemme tell ya, my mother brought us up ta look for bargains. These kids today? They want everything! My nephew—his first pair of glasses—his eyes weren’t even bad! Designer glasses! 175 bucks! I go visit, they hate ta see me comin’. I tell ‘em, "Ya coulda got somethin’ cheaper." Right away they get all antagonistic!
WOMAN: My mother usedta make us kids feel proud when we found a bargain.
MAN: I usedta try on clothes behind the counter. My bar mitzvah suit, I tried it on behind the counter in a store over on Blake Avenue. Cost me 18 dollars!
WOMAN: Yeah… you could get bargains in those days. Things ain’t like they usedta be. A loaf of bread cost a nickel! Look what it costs today! Ridiculous, I tell ya! We’ll never see those days again.
MAN: My sister-in-law—she thinks my brother’s stingy. I don’t think so! She wanted a Cadillac—he gave her a Cadillac. She wanted a diamond—he gave her a diamond. But when he goes lookin’ for bargains for himself, she says he’s stingy! Whaddya want?!
WOMAN: She sounds spoiled!
MAN: She goes out for coffee, throws down a tip of 75 cents like nothin’. Beauty parlor three times a week. She don’t like ta stay in the house, don’t clean nothin’! She’s 45, tryin’ ta look 25! Goes to the beauty parlor four times a week! Hair was breakin’ from all the dye… everyone knew it! Went six times a week to a hundred-dollar doctor. And if her car gets scratched, she gotta have it fixed right away!
Thank you for sharing. In the book I've been current reading, I sometimes see the similar phrases you've written in your post. I've never heard the accent, so I've been imaging kinda similar like the Southern accent. But I also know people in New York speak very fast. So, maybe the Brooklyn accent sounds like mixing the Southern and New York?
I'll definitely talk about this with my Texan friend and listen to the accent!
I think this conversation's grammar patterns, the rhythm, the cultural references, and the storytelling style are reflective of a Brooklyn Jewish accent, although the accent isn't monolithic. There is repetition: she wanted a Cadillac -- he gave her a Cadillac. She wanted a diamond--he gave her a diamond, which, to me, sounds rhythmic, and musical. I don't think this accent would be a mix of the Southern and New York accent. There are many Southern accents, but I think they generally have a drawl or twang. I'd be interested in what your friend says.
That's interesting. I've thought Jewish people are very strict their money even though some of them are rich. That's why they are good at saving.
I agree. It won't sound like mixing the Southern and New York accent. I'm very curious. I'll tell you what my friend will say when I chat with him.
I just finished chatting with my friend. He pretended Bernie Sanders and read your post to me. It was so funny, lol. He shared Larry David mimicking Bernie Sanders's video clip and said they are from Brooklyn. I didn't know that. I've been enjoying "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in English for years and I didn't even notice that he has the accent! We talked about Susie too. ( she has a different accent, Bronx accent as well) When I watched "Seinfeld" in English, I didn't understand the drama show well. Back then, my listening skills weren't good enough to catch up with them, and I didn't understand their jokes. Now, I'm thinking about watching the show again in English.
He also mentioned that Jewish people in Brooklyn complain even tiny things just like Larry in the show. That's also interesting to know. Thank you for sharing!
"silent partner" brought to mind this 1978 movie released here as El socio del silencio. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078269/ Very good one, a mixture of thriller and dark comedy. I didn't know it was a common expression in business. Thanks
@yumiyumayume, I didn't know Bernie Sanders was from Brooklyn either. I'm curious if your Texan friend has a southern or a neutral accent. It's funny to think of a southerner speaking with a New York accent. What I find intriguing also is that hand gestures and facial expressions can be a component of an accent. Italian hand gestures come to mind. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and learned more about accents.
@eugen_blick, my pleasure. I'll definitely check out the movie. Thanks for the link.
@SEQ77 My Texan friend doesn't have the NY accent at all. He has the Southern accent, but mild one. It's funny to hear that every time he says sit, it sounds like see it to me. I'm glad he doesn't have the Southern drawl because that one is the hardest for me to understand.