[Sethomas]

I've been told that I don't have an accent by people the world over. I was speaking French with some exchange student lovelies, and I apologized for my poor accent and they told me I had no accent at all. I think they were making fun of me in that regard.

I think what it is, is that the American midwest is such a hodgepodge of different cultures wherein, unlike the East Coast, they had to assimilate into a normal mode of speech because there aren't really ethnic communities where they can isolate themselves. So, midwesterners have a total blank slate of accents, unless you're in the redneck belt (Martinsville, IN to Tallahassee, FL).

Where I grew up, none of my classmates had any accent at all growing up but come high school many decided that they wanted a redneck twang so they forced it on themselves.

I dunno. Those of you who have talked to me on the phone, what do you think of my voice? I was always very monotone after puberty, but I think I've beat myself out of it.