Accent in Washington DC and Metropolitan areas

Hi everyone.

I've always wonder what (an) accent(s) in the capitol of the US and the surrounding areas (aka Arlington, Alexandria, etc) sound(s) like.

Does it sound southern like the deep south? Is it a cot-caught merged accent? Like, what are typical of the accent? Does anyone have an answer?

Typically, from college students and professionals you're going to get a relatively neutral accent with an influx of Southern terms (ya'll, etc.).

The city is overwhelmingly African-American, so a good amount of AAVE as well, but I'm not sure which version of it.

I was born and raised in Alexandria, Va. right outside DC. On trait I notice a lot, and which I use as a identifying factor of people from this area, is the pronunciation of -ing. People from around the VA/DC/MA area say -en with clear enunciation on the 'e'

I'm singing = I'm singEn

I now live in NC, and people here would pronounce the same as

Ah'm singin'

''I now live in NC, and people here would pronounce the same as

Ah'm singin'''

In Oregon, it's I'm singeen.

SingEn... now thats interesting. Would you care to submit your voice sample from Alexandria?

<<,Would you care to submit your voice sample from Alexandria? >>

Uhhh-, do I have to? :|)

Like Skippy says, the people in DC seem to have a hybrid accent, i.e., General American with some Southern features.

Oh, you dont have to... it was just a suggestion.

<<Oh, you dont have to... it was just a suggestion. >>

: )