FYI: Posts will be sparse around here until I replace my laptop.... Coming back to work after Christmas break apparently was too hard and it quit on me!

25 February 2012

an accent seasoned with salt

I recently had the chance to meet someone from Brazil. Her native language is Portuguese, of course, but she spoke English very well. Naturally, she had a very distinct accent. When told, "Say that again, I love your accent!" she responded with, "Oh? I hate it." That thought struck me as strange.

Accent / ac·cent /ˈækˌsɛnt, / noun
1: a way of pronouncing words that occurs among the people in a particular region or country

Everyone has an accent. When we speak, our accent tells people where we're from.

When I speak, I'm sure that people can tell where in the country I'm from. Those from the south usually have a southern drawl. Those from New Jersey have a distinct New Jersey accent. Those from large cities even have an accent. Those from other countries have different accents when they speak English--even those who speak English as their native language such as the British and Australian. I'm sure I have an American accent when I speak German. It would be strange if I didn't and had, say, a French accent!

Our accent can define us. What do I want my accent to say about me? That I live in the US, that I'm smart, that I'm...what?
What is my lifelong goal? to live a life worthy of the Lord - Colossians 1:10
My accent needs to reflect that.
My accent is to be evidence of the love of God in me. My accent is to be seasoned with salt.

My accent tells people I'm from the body of Christ.

Matthew 5
1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: [...] 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

4 comments:

Emily Boyd

I enjoy listening to other people's accents and figuring out where they are from. :)
Thanks for this great reminder!

Blessings,
Emily.

Joy

That's so true! Our accents (speech) must be seasoned with salt, with God's grace. Yes, thanks for that reminder, Emily Grace!

My accent is really interesting actually. I was born in Egypt, went to a missionary church where there were many Americans, and since I was 6 have lived in Australia... so my accent is rather funny, though I try being 'Australian/British' in my accent as much as I can. I really, really don't enjoy the Southern drawl of Americans... I don't know it just sounds weird to my ears =D.

You live in the northern part of America, right?
God bless!
~Joy

Anonymous

That is so right. Our accents need to be an example of God, not wordly things.

♥Godsgirlz1♥

godsgirlz1.wordpress.conm

Emily Grace

Emily Ruth - So do I! Except I'm not very good a t it...ha!

Joy - Yes, I live in the northern part of the US. However all of my Mom's family is from the south. ;) (and I agree, the southern drawl does sound strange--but not half as bizarre as a New Jersey accent...)

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