The New York language barrier
Image via WikipediaANDREW RAMOS always believed it made him more charming, an endearing characteristic integral to his identity. But, finally, after too many people mocked him, he began seeing a therapist.I dealt with many New Yorkers and had no trouble understanding the professionals such as investment bankers or lawyers. But, if I were talking to someone in the back office of one of the Wall Street firms, I felt like I needed an interpreter sometimes. In only one other city did I run into that problem. It was Miami. Some of the people tended to sound like New Yorkers.
Patrick Mullin had the same problem. “People were complaining,” he said. He started weekly therapy sessions 11 years ago and still goes about once a month.
Lauren LoGiudice sought help for similar symptoms. “I would have sessions and I started to cry,” she said.
In all three cases, therapists reached the same discomfiting conclusion.
“I was diagnosed with a New York accent,” Mr. Ramos said.
The classic New York accent is not as distinct or as prevalent as it once was, but there are plenty of native “New Yawkers” who not only have it but consider it a curse.
“It humbled me,” Mr. Ramos, a television reporter at WPIX-TV, said of his diagnosis.
Those who seek professional help to conquer their accents make similar complaints, like, “ ‘People don’t understand what I’m saying,’ ” said Sam Chwat, who is considered the dean of speech therapists. “ ‘I’m stigmatized by the way I speak.’ ‘I’m tired of people imitating or ridiculing the way I speak, or saying I sound “cute.” ’ ‘My accent seems to imply negative characteristics.’ ”
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I did have a law professor from New York who could be intimidating. His wife once told him his normal tone of voice was considered a verbal assault in Texas.
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