Over Yonder
Growing up on a farm in rural Surry County was a wonderful thing. I can, however, relate in a small way to the issues Dowdy experienced growing up. As a young child, I was pretty much unaware of my country accent. As I grew older I was exposed to more people (people outside Surry County), I started to be teased a little about my accent. When I was a teenager I went to a church summer camp in Greensboro. Many of the people I met wanted to know if I was from Texas! These were kids from Greensboro—an hour and a half away from where I lived. I started to become very conscious of the way I spoke, as well as the way other people back home spoke. I was proud of where I was from, but became very aware of the stigma associated with being a “hick”. This was not how I wanted to portray myself. Like Dowdy I soon came to realize that I was able to speak two different languages, the one of over there and the one of over yonder. The language of over yonder is still in me, but reserved for special occasions, such as when I am helping my husband or my brother work on the fence around our house, on the farm that has been in my family for generations. Those are the times that I would point to something over yonder in the pasture. Those are the times when I, too, am connecting with my past and feeling my roots.
Marcia Smith
Comments (2)
I too have experienced being recognized because of strong southern accent. It is one of the things that makes our culture unique. I would hate for everyone to sound and talk the same. How would we know where anybody came from?!
Posted by Carol Sherrill | June 7, 2010 11:51 AM
Posted on June 7, 2010 11:51
I grew up in Wilkes County, so I also have a thick Southern accent. I never thought of myself as a hick or a redneck until visiting relatives in Pennsylvania. I remember people wanting me to talk so they could hear my accent. I felt very self-conscious and out of place. I definitely understand how the young girl in the Ovuh Dyuh article felt when her friends made fun of her. Even today as an adult there are times when I feel self-conscious about my accent. However, when going home to Wilkesboro I can be myself. I don’t have to worry about being judged, or rehearsing what I am going to say before speaking. I liked what you said about feeling your roots and connecting with your past. That’s exactly how I feel when I go home. I am proud of my roots, and will always consider Wilkesboro home. Pam Aubuchon
Posted by Pam Aubuchon | June 7, 2010 9:26 PM
Posted on June 7, 2010 21:26