The chameleon
I had an epiphany about myself last night. I am a chameleon of mannerisms and syntax. This is not to say that I loose my personality or individualism dependant on who I'm with, but rather, I pick up tone, diction, gestures, etc from the person I am currently discoursing with.
I did notice this briefly in London. I never pick the dialect, but did perceive an accent akin to RP.
The second revelation came with time spent with my two dear harpies....I can never manage a cackle quite as well as I could with the two of you on a late night in Country Kitchen.
This phenomena has become most noticeable while IM. When you can see your dialogue typed out before you, it's amazing to see how differently you interact with others. I cannot abide the IM shorthand....that vegetable soup only reminds me of the Grapes of Wrath and the New Deal (by the by...thank you Nicole for turning me into a sponge for history...) Grammar and spelling, when it can be helped are maintained....but it's odd to see how quickly tone and style changes from person to person.
Kyle once mentioned, in regard to the dialogue in the play I wrote for his class, that he liked how quickly one character picked up certain phrases and the diction of the other. He thought it a good technique. Truth is, from the start I saw much of myself in that character. It's much less a technique...
I think it's more of a tactic....
By the by...last night was a train wreck.
I did notice this briefly in London. I never pick the dialect, but did perceive an accent akin to RP.
The second revelation came with time spent with my two dear harpies....I can never manage a cackle quite as well as I could with the two of you on a late night in Country Kitchen.
This phenomena has become most noticeable while IM. When you can see your dialogue typed out before you, it's amazing to see how differently you interact with others. I cannot abide the IM shorthand....that vegetable soup only reminds me of the Grapes of Wrath and the New Deal (by the by...thank you Nicole for turning me into a sponge for history...) Grammar and spelling, when it can be helped are maintained....but it's odd to see how quickly tone and style changes from person to person.
Kyle once mentioned, in regard to the dialogue in the play I wrote for his class, that he liked how quickly one character picked up certain phrases and the diction of the other. He thought it a good technique. Truth is, from the start I saw much of myself in that character. It's much less a technique...
I think it's more of a tactic....
By the by...last night was a train wreck.
Labels: misc
posted by Unknown at
9:18 AM
3 Comments:
You may say train wreck and yet I don't picture flames. I think everything will be all right.
A tactic? interesting. It seems everyone else is fertile ground for break throughs -either personal or artistic. I have noticed that my "performance" i.e. tone, diction, gestures alters with movies I've watched recently or characters I have on the brain. I've never applied this analysis of myself to how I respond to other real people. Maybe that's because I spend so much time in my own head. While NOW you've got me thinking...
I have at times in my life slipped into an Irish accent, for absolutely no reason at all - and not on purpose.
That's very interesting....I sometimes think that I picked up this "Southern" accent way to easily....very curious.
You DO have a Southern accent! You DO! I didn't want to tell you, but yes you DO! Oh, I'm so glad you're aware of it. No, just kidding I know I picked up a little one too while I was in Mississippi!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home