The Block Club Chicago Podcast

What Is The True Chicago Accent -- And Why Is It Dying?

Episode Summary

The so-called “Chicago accent” is one of the city’s greatest exports, alongside Italian beef, deep-dish pizza and up-and-coming sketch comedians. But most associate a particular kind of sound to the average Chicagoan. But there are actually many Chicago accents with different origins, and they span far beyond the North Side climes that soak up a lot of the cultural conversation. That reflects in the media set in, or filmed in, the city — often with non-Chicago actors who must learn the (many) ways we speak.

Episode Notes

The so-called “Chicago accent” is one of the city’s greatest exports, alongside Italian beef, deep-dish pizza and up-and-coming sketch comedians.

But most associate a particular kind of sound to the average Chicagoan.

But there are actually many Chicago accents with different origins, and they span far beyond the North Side climes that soak up a lot of the cultural conversation. That reflects in the media set in, or filmed in, the city — often with non-Chicago actors who must learn the (many) ways we speak.

Host - Jon Hansen

Guest - Tanera Marshall