WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?
Talkin’ Texan
part 5
Ann Marie Kennon
T
exas is big enough to be its own country. In fact, our land area is larger than 155 whole countries. So, is it any wonder we have our own culture, several sub-cultures, and in the case of this month’s feature... our own language? While diversity is more of a thing these days, and some of these Texas-isms are more stereotype, or antiquated, than standard, they are still a part of Texas style. You may not run across any pardners gittin’ along their little dogies any more, but if you really want to feel Texan, there’s just some things y’all ought’a know how to say properly, or at least translate. First and foremost, a visitor or new Texan must understand the finer points of addressing others. A single person may be addressed as Hoss, or Darlin’. However, be they from Bexar (BAY-er), Boerne (BURN-ee), or Manor (MAY-ner), y’all (proper contraction of you all) is used when addressing more than one person. It’s also more polite than calling a mixed group “you guys.” Naturally, if the group gets large enough, you must emphasize the quantity with an All Y’all. Of course, y’all’d’ve known that if you were born here. It is also reasonable, when you are formally introduced to someone you are somewhat acquainted with, to say, “We howdied, but we ain’t shook.” Perhaps you ain’t met this person before because they live yonder, so far out in the country, the sun sets between their house and town.
