<p>I know it's a really weird question, but I haven't seen it addressed on here yet. I'm from Minnesota, and I've never really lived anywhere else. I want to go to UNC Chapel Hill (or so I think- I haven't actually visited it yet) and it just occurred to me that I don't know what people sound like there! Are there a lot of people with Southern accents? Any feedback is appreciated! :)
Also, what is the school like in general (in your opinion)?</p>
<p>Well, I don’t attend UNC but my dad was raised in North Carolina and I know whenever we go back to visit, he gets his little accent going. Lol. But that’s just him - and he’s not from Chapel Hill - he’s from Goldsboro (but you’re from Minnesota so idk if you know where Goldsboro is anyway). </p>
<p>I think that people from NC have accents, it probably also depends on how long they’ve lived there.</p>
<p>Yes, nearly everyone here has a Southern accent. I think the largest portion of students are from Charlotte, so if you find youtube on a Charlotte accent, that should give you some idea.</p>
<p>A bit off accent topic, but I’m curious if many kids from the eastern end of the state wind up at chapel hill? I know UNC Wilm is close to where we are relocating, but think UNC Chapel Hill is ranked significantly higher in quality of ed.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, the dialect in the RTP area is actually neutral American English. Many people who end up attending UNC-CH who are “from” NC are recent transplants from the NE, Midwest, or anywhere else. The 82% figure of NC residents is very misleading. However, the “true” Carolinians do tend to have a bit of a southern twang, but it’s really not that noticeable. I moved to the area in 2011 from Philly and so far, I’ve rarely met people who have a very strong Southern accent.</p>
<p>I grew up 30 miles away from Chapel Hill, and my niece and nephew are there. We do not have a terribly strong accent, but my New England in-laws certainly notice it (but seem to like it). When we lived in Ohio many people thought I was from Scotland (???). Seriously. Mostly, you’ll have to get used to “y’all”, “hey” as a greeting, and “coke” for anything carbonated.</p>
<p>Not much of an accent … More y’all’s than anything else. FightTheTide is right, lots of northeastern transplants in NC, especially this area.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I feel a lot better knowing I won’t be surrounded with a completely new dialect haha. If a lot of the student body is from Charlotte, then the accents aren’t super southern and aren’t bad at all. :)</p>
<p>No, it’s not bad at all. I grew up 30 minutes away from Chapel Hill and I don’t think I have any sort of accent. Most of us don’t have more than a slight accent. You will hear some super southern accents here and there, but those definitely stand out. It’s not hicktown or anything.</p>