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New York and New Jersey are two neighboring states in the northeastern region of the United States. Despite their close proximity, these two states have distinct cultural and linguistic differences, which can be attributed to their historical and geographical contexts. One area of difference is the use of British English in these states.
19 April 2023
Time: 5:00 Am ET
While both New York and New Jersey have been heavily influenced by British English, there are notable differences in the way the language is spoken and used in these regions.
To understand the differences in the use of British English in New York and New Jersey, it is important to first consider the historical context of these states. New York was originally settled by the Dutch in the early 17th century, and the English took control of the region in 1664. As a result, New York has a long history of both Dutch and English influence, which is reflected in its language and culture.
New Jersey, on the other hand, was originally settled by the Swedes and the Dutch in the 17th century, and was later taken over by the English in 1664. However, unlike New York, New Jersey did not have a large Dutch-speaking population, and the English influence in the region was more pronounced.
One of the most noticeable differences between British English in New York and New Jersey is the pronunciation of certain words. In general, New Yorkers tend to have a more distinct accent than New Jerseyans, with a particular emphasis on the “r” sound. For example, New Yorkers tend to pronounce the word “water” with a distinct “r” sound at the end, while New Jerseyans often drop the “r” sound and pronounce it more like “waw-tuh.”
Another notable pronunciation difference is the way that New Yorkers and New Jerseyans pronounce the letter “o.” New Yorkers tend to pronounce the letter “o” with a distinct “aw” sound, which is often referred to as the “New York accent.” For example, the word “coffee” is pronounced more like “caw-fee” in New York. In contrast, New Jerseyans tend to pronounce the letter “o” more like a short “ah” sound, which is closer to the British pronunciation. For example, the word “coffee” is pronounced more like “caw-fee” in New Jersey.
In addition to pronunciation differences, there are also notable differences in vocabulary between British English in New York and New Jersey. One of the most noticeable differences is in the use of certain words to describe everyday items. For example, in New York, a carbonated beverage is often referred to as “soda,” while in New Jersey it is more commonly called “pop.” Similarly, a long sandwich filled with cold cuts and other toppings is known as a “hero” in New York, while in New Jersey it is known as a “sub” or a “hoagie.”
Another vocabulary difference between the two regions is in the use of certain phrases and expressions. For example, in New York, the phrase “fuhgeddaboudit” is often used to mean “forget about it,” while in New Jersey, the phrase “down the shore” is used to refer to going to the beach. Additionally, New Yorkers often use the word “mad” to mean “very” or “extremely,” as in “That movie was mad good,” while New Jerseyans are more likely to use the word “hella,” as in “That concert was hella fun.”
Finally, there are also some grammatical differences between British English in New York and New Jersey.
