The evolution and origins of the Boston accent John Budenas — WWLP

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Boston accent, often portrayed humorously in films and television, is more than just the signature “dropped R’s,” it’s a unique and valuable lens through which to explore the history and culture of New England. This iconic accent, while familiar to many, holds a deeper linguistic and historical significance that stretches […]

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Boston accent, often portrayed humorously in films and television, is more than just the signature “dropped R’s,” it’s a unique and valuable lens through which to explore the history and culture of New England.

This iconic accent, while familiar to many, holds a deeper linguistic and historical significance that stretches back centuries.

The most recognizable feature of the Boston accent is “R-lessness,” where the “R” sound is dropped from words like “car,” making it sound like “cah.” The Boston accent’s roots can be traced to British colonists who settled in Massachusetts, bringing with them the speech patterns from southern England.

The spread of this accent was closely tied to settlement patterns. As settlers from Eastern Massachusetts moved outward, their way of speaking influenced other parts of New England. Over time, the consonants, particularly the “R” sound, began to soften and eventually disappear from local speech, following trends in England in the 17th century.

The stereotypical Boston accent can also be defined by lexical terms. This includes the use of words like “wicked,” or “jimmies” to describe the sprinkles that go on ice cream. An accent refers specifically to unique ways of pronunciation, while a dialect takes into account a wider range of language features like grammar and vocabulary. 

One of the distinctive traits of the accent concerns the vowel sound in the words “Mary,” “merry” and “marry.” Most English speakers in the U.S. pronounce all three more or less the same, while many New Englanders pronounce all with slightly separate vowel sounds.

Another distinctive trait of the Boston accent can also be seen in the ways that people pronounce a word similar to “hot.” In New England, this “short O” sound will often get changed subconsciously. Or in the pronunciation of words like “bath,” those with the accent will sometimes change the vowel sound to a “broad A,” which means the “A” in “bath” ends up sounding like the “A” in words such as “water” and “father.”

However, the Boston accent is evolving. The hallmark feature of “R-dropping” is becoming less common, particularly among younger generations. The lines between eastern and western New England accents are also fading, with urban areas like South Boston retaining more of the traditional accent than other parts of the region. Social and racial dynamics, along with gentrification, play a significant role in this shift.

While some may see the fading of the Boston accent as a loss, MIT Linguistics Professor Edward Flemming argues that it’s part of a natural linguistic evolution. “Everyone has an accent,” he explained. “As people’s speech changes, they’re not losing an accent but rather gaining a new one.”

Ultimately, the Boston accent, with its rich history and cultural ties, continues to evolve alongside the region, and understanding accents offers a glimpse into the ever-changing fabric of society.

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