I love this. Love Appalachian literature and enjoy seeing it grow in awareness. I am from an unusual place of “Urban Appalachia” in West PA and still say “AppalAchian” long “A” and was in a panel of linguists on “Creative Writing in Appalachia” at the MLA conference in Baltimore where we read our work. I was told by the linguist that long A or short, it’s ok and regional or personal preference. Just for whatever it’s worth. Not arguing it at all! Just wanted to share what she said.
Oh, thanks, Sandee! I pronounced it the same way one time and was roundly criticized! I never forgot that. But I'm glad to hear it can actually go both ways.
I love this. Love Appalachian literature and enjoy seeing it grow in awareness. I am from an unusual place of “Urban Appalachia” in West PA and still say “AppalAchian” long “A” and was in a panel of linguists on “Creative Writing in Appalachia” at the MLA conference in Baltimore where we read our work. I was told by the linguist that long A or short, it’s ok and regional or personal preference. Just for whatever it’s worth. Not arguing it at all! Just wanted to share what she said.
Oh, thanks, Sandee! I pronounced it the same way one time and was roundly criticized! I never forgot that. But I'm glad to hear it can actually go both ways.
Thanks for this. Litmags can be such a mystery to submit to. Nancy H Williard