Aussie-American?!

[Peter A. McGraw]

Did anyone on this list happen to hear the report on NPR this morning about
the Microsoft trial?

Among those interviewed was one of Microsoft's attorneys.  The minute he
opened his mouth, I said to myself, "Australian," because of the tell-tale
diphthong in words with the same vowel as "mate."  But as he continued
speaking, I was perplexed by his use of an "American r" and some other
features (which I've forgotten now, darn it!) that sounded like the
American South.  It sounded like some "shallow" (as opposed to deep)
southern dialect but with that distinctive Australian diphthong.  Since I
was driving at the time, I had no way to make a quick transcription of a
sample.

Does anyone know of an actual dialect like this--or did this have to be an
Aussie who moved here and has tried to change his speech with only about 50
percent success?

Peter Mc.


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                               Peter A. McGraw
                   Linfield College   *   McMinnville, OR
                            pmcgraw at linfield.edu