by Ed Taylor
When you find yourself in the Lone Star state and want to blend in, speaking and understanding a little Texan will take you a long way.
First, there are a few key words to know:
Howdy - The best way to greet anyone you meet — and feel free to add a sir or ma’am and you’ll fit right in.
Y’all - A multipurpose pronoun used to mean all of you, both of you, or occasionally just you, depending on whether you are talking to one or more folks.
Fixin’ - It means planning to do something.
Next, depending on where you happen to be in Texas, determine whether a Texas drawl or Texas twang is more appropriate.
If you find yourself in east Texas, you might hear folks speak with a drawl. This typically means elongating your words, often adding a syllable. For example:
Bawul - one of those round things, usually thrown.
Weeyun - opposite of lose.
Hayur - stuff on your head.
Mawul - great big building with shops and a food court.
If instead you find yourself in hill country or western Texas, you’re more likely to hear a bit of a twang which involves flattening your vowels and shortening familiar words. And for any words that end with “ing,” pronouncing the “g” is entirely optional. Here are a few examples.
Git - receive or go; also used in the popular Texas comparative expression, “than all git-out,” which means to a high degree or extreme.
Bin - the past participle, been.
Et - the past participle, eaten.
Danz - cut a rug, dance.
Bob Wahr - a fencing medium with sharp points designed to keep cattle in.
Talkin' - engaging in speech, talking.
Finally, put it all together:
Howdy! - Hello!
How y’all bin? - How have you been?
Y’all et yet? - Have you eaten yet?
I’m hungrier ’n all git-out. - I’m really hungry!
Y’all fixin' ta danz? - Are you planning to dance?
It’s so dry the birds are buildin’ their nests outta bob wahr. - We could really use some rain.
And just like that, you’re talkin’ like a true Texan!
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