Transcript of “Use Ya Blinkah”
Hi, you have A Way with Words.
Hi, my name is Meg.
I live on Cape Cod.
I have a comment rather than a question.
We have electronic signs on the side of the highway, which are very, very good.
And they mention different things about the highway or whatever.
But we have a sign that says, use a blinker.
Now, I said blinker.
I obviously have a Boston accent.
Nothing wrong with that.
But for them to put it on a sign that says B-L-I-N-K-A-H, no, not so much.
Massachusetts is paying for that sign.
What we talk like, you don’t make fun of it.
It’s all right if you do or my friends do or someone else’s, but don’t put it on an electronic sign.
So you feel like they’re making fun, Meg?
Well, of course.
Well, it’s like we have lots of things that say, you’re smart, and they spell that wrong, too.
But they don’t have it on an electric sign.
So anyway, what it is is when you cross over the Sagamore Bridge, which takes you to Cape Cod, there’s that sign.
Okay?
I understand about using your blinker, but we still spell it B-L-I-N-K-E-R.
Okay?
Yeah.
I don’t mind someone saying blinker like we say it.
Absolutely.
Beautiful.
No problem at all.
I get it.
It’s okay.
I would like them not to have that on the sign.
If they’re going to do it right, use your blinker and spell it correctly.
And they could say Cape Cod is wicked good.
Now, someone will have to look up wicked good.
That’s perfect.
Meg, let me offer you a different take on use your blinker, which is their goal on those digital signs, first of all, is to get you to use your blinker.
But also to have you remember the sign and the message.
And apparently it has worked very well with you, Meg, because you are talking about that sign and spreading the word about using your blinker.
Well, I understand why they did it.
I do understand it.
And it is something you will always remember.
Yeah, absolutely.
I get it.
Yeah.
So linguistically, if you care about that, it’s an example of what’s called I dialect, E-Y-E.
And it’s where you kind of affectionately or humorously re-spell things to mimic in spelling the way things are pronounced, say, in a regional accent like yours.
And so they’re like plugging into this larger tradition of trying to be authentic and trying to be fair in representing the local way of speaking instead of using kind of the standard spelling and spelling it like I would say it.
And I’m originally from Missouri.
What do I got in common with use your blinker?
Nothing.
Well, what you have in common is you use your blinker.
I try to, even when I don’t have to.
Like in a turn lane, in a turning where everyone’s supposed to be turning, I still use my blinker because there are people who may not know that it’s a turn lane.
Exactly.
Yeah.
But anyway, that was what it was about.
And I just, I understand.
It’s about them people remembering.
Yeah.
I totally get it.
And it worked with you, Meg.
They got you.
They hooked you.
Yeah.
I find it quite charming, actually.
You don’t find it charming?
Well, no.
If you say it to me like that, that’s absolutely fine.
I don’t find it not charming.
I just find it annoying when I see it spelled that way.
But that’s my guess.
That’s fair.
And Meg, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
I think it’s totally fair.
And I got to say, you have a delightful accent.
And I think it’s fun and interesting and useful to relate to that sign in the way that you have.
So, bravo.
It’s very good.
Your opinions are noted and appreciated.
Thank you.
Just remember what?
Cape Cod is wicked good.
Yes, it is.
But use your blinker.
All right.
Bye-bye.
Yeah, definitely.
Take care.
Take care.
Bye.
Talk to us about it.
