Wah I find most jaggin and laughable abaht picksburg...

I have lived in Pittsburgh on and off for over 10 years.  I have taken the time to learn the loved dialect known as Pittsburghese.  Mind you I do not speak it as is done here, I just have a learned understanding of the language.  With so many people who speak it, it would behoove one to learn it to prevent yourself from feeling like a stranger in a strange place.  I have also found if you say "Huh?" all the time you will be the one who sounds like the goof.

I go into supermarkets and here the announcements over the intercom done in this thick accent.  I have to ask myself, "Did they always sound like this, or are they trying to sound like a dummy?".  I'm sure this post will ruffle some feathers, but quite frankly, I don't care.  I feel it needs to be pointed out that one can embrace the culture here and not have to sound or talk like one of the dialectically challenged.  I mean, you guys sound ridiculous.


The Brooklyn accent is almost as bad, but at least the people are understandable.  Pittsburghers have created their own language.  While some may say that it's just the creative nature of the place.  Well I say, it makes you all sound like a bunch of dopes!  There I said it.

I will have to admit that it does make me laugh, how you have to raise your tone several decibels just to sound like a "true" Pittsburgher.  I certainly do get a kick out of this city and it's wild and wonderful people.

I realize that their language is very embraced here, and I am not saying the language should die, just evolve a little so the place doesn't feel so uneducated.  Sure, use the terms you grew up with, embrace the language that you love, just try for a moment to speak with some accentuation and without all the slurring of words.  I was listening to the radio the other day, and a fellow from Pittsburgh called in, his accent was so strong I could hardly understand him.  He was definitely a "South Side Johnny".  That is my term for people who speak with a thick Pittsburghese accent.

For those of you who want a taste of Pittsburgh, the website  www.pittsburghese.com has some very interesting features.  They have a translator that I used for the title of this post. They also have an extensive listing of the words used here, split up into nouns, verbs, adjectives, phrases, people, places, sports, and then some.  Feel free to humor yourself.

In closing I feel it should be said that I do really like this town.  I love its rich culture and diversity.  I even love its goofy language.  I may be contradicting myself a little in saying that, but you guys can really have an effect on people.  Today was just one of those day where I had to spout it off the way I see it...

Also, for those of you looking for a translation of the Title, it is: "What I find most annoying and laughable about Pittsburgh...

After yinz read this and in yinzes spare time hauscome don't yinz alls go on over and check aht da website and see wah being a picksburger is all abaht.