Boston Culture By Michael May Language of Boston
Boston Culture By: Michael May
Language of Boston � Boston Dialect ◦ Uses and emphasis on the vowel "r” ◦ Also known as Boston English ◦ Try to say “Park tha ca in tha Havard Yarrd“ � Slang Language of Boston ◦ Used to shorten words or make word different ◦ Word "bang" to Bostonians means to turn such as “bang a left” � Boston Irish ◦ Uses a mix of Gaelic and English. ◦ Originated from Ireland
Boston Gestures � The Head Nod � The Middle Finger � The Forearm Jerk ◦ Use to say “hello” or “what’s up” ◦ Mostly used on the streets while walking by ◦ Sign of disrespect all over Boston ◦ Means “F. U” ◦ Similar to the middle finger “F. U” ◦ Came from Italian descendents
Bostonian Values � Jaywalking: A Bad Value ◦ Peron walks in traffic unlawfully ◦ Displays unruliness and lack of public order ◦ $1 fine to the city of Boston � Respect on an other: A Good Value ◦ Respect all over Boston, major in heritages ◦ Centralizes family in the city � Committing a Crime: A Bad Value ◦ Boston full of crime and criminals (many prisons) ◦ You do the crime, you do the time
Boston Sanctions � Positive Sanction #1 � Positive Sanction #2 ◦ Helping others less fortunate than you, will make you feel good about yourself ◦ If you need help, there is always some available � Negative Sanction #1 � Negative Sanction #2 � Negative Sanction #3 ◦ If you commit a crime, you get arrested ◦ If you join a family, you live by the sword and die by the sword ◦ Being a Yankees baseball fan will make you the most hated person in Boston
Boston Countercultures � Italian Boston ◦ Migrated to Boston (settled in North End) ◦ Similar norms of what Bostonians use �E. G: Uses under neck hand swipe for “F. U” � Irish Boston ◦ Migrated to Boston (settled in South End) ◦ Different norms of what Bostonians uses �E. G: Speaks Gaelic � Chinese Boston ◦ Migrated to Boston (settled in Chinatown) ◦ Different norms of what Bostonians use �E. G: Family is most important
Boston Taboos � Being a Yankees fan in Boston ◦ Get you to be the hated person in Boston ◦ Starts fights and arguments � Bostonians having a weird accent ◦ Can get into brawl between Bostonians ◦ Not respecting Bostonians �BOSTONIANS= BIG ON RESPECT
Questions?
- Slides: 8