Language runs deep

This quiz, designed to estimate overlap between your speech and the dialects common to other areas of the country, showed up in IRC a couple days ago. I had to wait a while before I could actually get it to load (keep refreshing and try later if it keeps saying the server is overloaded), but I’m glad I persisted.

The results are neat, the heatmap overlaps nicely with where my parents and extended family are all from. I’m a bit surprised at how strong the association is, given I’ve never myself lived in the Midwest and certainly have had considerable exposure to other influences on my speech. It’s a shame the data used to determine the overlap doesn’t include Alaska (or Hawaii), I’d be interested to know if the general dialect for Alaska matches up with the Midwest, or if it just carried over that strongly from my parents.

On the Street – Saab 95, Mustang II

Spotted this Saab 95 wagon outside WhiskeyFest Northwest. Believe it’s a later production model from the 70s, due to the front fascia design, front hinged doors, and rear ‘spoiler’.

This Mustang II ‘Ghia’ falls somewhere between 1974-78. Aside from being painted and upholstered with one of the most offensively boring color combos possible it looks pretty good for its age.

The Keen Shoes Checker cab, parked near their new storefront on NW 13th. Based on the bumper, a 1972 or later example.