Relocating to Texas – How to Speak Texan in 60 days or less!
Texas Flag
Recently, I assisted a family in their relocation to Houston, Texas from Connecticut. The whole family is very excited to be moving to this great area and to not have to shovel mounds of snow during the winter! While I met with the client to do the final walk through and hand over the keys to their new home in The Woodlands Mr. CT told me a cute story and I felt compelled to help out with the family dilemma.
Over the weekend while packing they discussed a family trip back home to Connecticut in November. One son wanted to know if by the time they returned to Connecticut from Texas if he would have a Texas accent. So I started thinking, “How could this young man impress his friends back home with fine Texas speak in less than 60 days”? Here are a few pointers that I shared with him:
Essential Texas Words
“ Y’all” – means you or all of you (or whatever they say up North!)
“Fixin” – getting ready to do something. Use instead of “ I am going to do” or “I am about to” this may be the Number One Texan speak! You are always “Fixin to go to the store.”
Aggravated -used to describe everything from mild annoyance to dangerous, murderous rage. Usually pronounced “agger-vated.”
Blue Norther – storm that comes up as a giant, blue-black cloud of cold air comes over the warm gulf air and “just about freezes us to death!” Rain and wind may accompany the black cloud.
Fit to be tied – really upset.
Hissy Fit – a state of extreme agitation.
Norther -a storm; not as bad as a blue norther.
Nu-uh – no.
Nuther thang – another thing.
Place – an individual’s farm or ranch.
Plug -common mutt horse.
Plug-ugly – see above. This is definitely not a compliment.
Post Oak -wood that is hard and resistant to rot and can be used for fenceposts.
Sorry – adjective meaning worthless, no-count, useless, bad.
Supper – this can be either thenoonor the evening meal.
Tank – a pond on a farm land or ranch.
Wore Out – fatigued, exhausted.
A few rules that will help when you’re not really sure the proper Texas speak.
If a word has -ing tacked onto the end of it, that last ‘g’ is always silent. “Fixin’ to”, “Doin’ that”, “Goin’ there” and similar phrases are correct pronunciations.
If a sentence can be shortened by dropping a few letters or syllables along the way, by all means do it!
Examples
A while ago – awollago
Have to” = “hafta”
Some of that” = “sum’at”
“alright” = “a’right”
Who would have thought?” = “Who’da thought?”
The word “of” is not said as its own word, but instead as an ‘a’ sound tacked onto the end of the previous word.
Examples
“kinda” and “sorta”.
Understanding Texas Phrases
Texans use hundreds of phrases to get their point across that mostly only make sense to other Texans. They can be used in any situation that the speaker sees fit.
Example
“This ain’t my first rodeo”
And finally, speak slowly and draw out every syllable! To talk like a Texan, practice elongating all one-syllable words into two syllables. The word “big” is pronounced, “bee-yug.” The word “pen” is said, “pee-yun.”
Make your long “I” sounds into lazy sounds. To talk with a Texan accent, your long “I” sounds need to sound closer to a short “a” sound. Texans don’t get in “fights.” They get in “fahts.” They don’t “buy” something at the store. They “bah” it. They don’t do something “nine times.” They do it “nahn tahms.”
If you are relocating to Texas– we welcome you! Don’t forget we fly our Texas Lone Star flag so on your way down stop at the first Wal-Mart as soon as you cross the border! Also, “PRRACTEECE MAKES PURRRFICT so start learnin’ our fine Texan lingo now!!
I am a native Texan I have lived and worked in Houston Texas Real Estate my entire life. I love this state and city and I would love to help you and your family relocate and find a home to purchase in the Greater Houston area. Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Spring and we have many more beautiful communities in and around Houston. There is something for everyone!
Please call Connie Vallone 713 249 4177 email connie@knowsrealestate.com Broker Associate with First Market Realty. or http://vallonehomes.com
