Translating Alaskan to English

If my need of regional attire, Michigan plates and lack of fish aroma weren’t enough to give me away as a fudgie, apparently I also have an accent. Two people have actually told me I have an accent. I couldn’t believe it! Apparently Alaskans have their own dialect the rest of the country isn’t aware of. I haven’t noticed any difference. I take comfort in the fact that Midwesterner’s vernacular is the most like true English, so if anyone has an accent, it ain’t us.

You won’t hear any talk of Indians unless someone is discussing a recent call to a customer service agent for a US-based company. Eskimos are referred to as Natives. Not Native Americans, just Natives. It’s funny how in Michigan even the Indians call themselves Indians.

They don’t count all the points on a buck either, they only count one side. So my 8 point is called a 4 point. I don’t know what they’d call a 9 point. A 4 ½ point? You’re allowed six deer a year and up to four in a day. Southeast AK has seasons for black and brown bear, deer, elk, goat, moose, wolf, wolverine and a variety of small game.

Alaskan to English Dictionary:

Break up (brake uhp) - The period at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In Michigan this time of year is referred to as late winter

Build the Road (billd thah rode) - An abbreviation for, "Build the Road Juneau to Skagway." A bumper sticker found on the vehicles of more enlightened individuals in support of a highway between said cities. Those opposed to the road linking Juneau to the "outside" created their own bumper sticker stating, "Why extend the dead end? Ferries go all the way," proving that they can in fact rhyme.

Cheekako (chee-kah-koh) - Newbie to Alaska.

Juneau Sneakers (joo-noh sneek-ers) - Galoshes, rubber boots.

Outside (owt-side) - Any state other than Alaska.

Sourdough (sow-er-doh) - Long time resident of Alaska. One becomes a sourdough by killing a bear, urinating in the Yukon and sleeping with a Native.

Termination dust (ter-min-nay-shun dust) - The first light powdering of snow on the mountain peaks signaling the end of summer.

Zero lot (zere-oh laht) - A duplex.