Louisiana’s Cajun Accent Named One of Most Desirable in the U.S.

According to a new study, our wonderful (and charming) Cajun accent which many of us have in South Louisiana, has been named one of the most desirable in America.

The in-depth study was conducted by the online language learning platform Preply. The report placed our "vibrant French-inflected accent" third among the many U.S. regional accents.

THE MOST DESIRABLE ACCENTS

The detailed research investigated various U.S. dialects and their appeal nationwide. As per the study, here are the top five U.S. accents and the reasons they charm listeners:

1. Southern: Sounds warm and inviting due to its slow, lyrical vowels -- reflecting Southern charm and hospitality.
2. Western: Loved for its calming, clear tones, it's associated with the easygoing lifestyle of the Western U.S.
3. Cajun: With its vibrant blend of French and English, the Cajun accent is lively and unique.
4. Hawaiian: The soft, melodic Hawaiian accent resembles a soothing melody.
5. Texan: Known for its slow, rhythmic drawl hinting at friendliness and warmth.

WHAT ABOUT THE ACCENTS THAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE SO MUCH?

Apparently, the folks up north just don't have accents that are appealing to most people. Here are the five least desirable accents based on the study:

1. Chicagoan (Illinois): Strong vowels and nasal tones; sometimes described as similar to a stale, frozen flapjack.
2. New Yorker (New York City): Fast-paced and distinct, it is sometimes perceived as nasal, fast, or rude.
3. Southern Ohioan (Southern Ohio): This accent is defined by its mild, flat tone, which some consider lackluster.
4. Mid-Atlantic: Inflexion draws praise (clear, transatlantic quality) and criticism (seen as artificial) and isn't tied to any location.
5. New Jerseyan (New Jersey): Known for its strong vowels and distinct character but often strikes listeners as too nasal, fast, or rude.

METHODOLOGY

Preply comprised their ranking of accents through meticulous research, pulling from four reputable resources: WordTips Research, YouGov Accents Study, Language Attitudes to Speech Study, and a Thrillist article.

THE COMPLETE LIST

Here is the complete ranking, from most to least desirable regional accents in the U.S.:

1. Southern
2. Western
3. Cajun
4. Hawaiian
5. Texan
6. Geechee
7. Georgian
8. Bostonian
9. Appalachian
10. Mainer
11. Alabamian
12. Chicano
13. Southern Californian
14. Upper Midwesterner
15. Yooper
16. Pacific Northwesterner
17. Floridian
18. Philadelphian
19. Long Islander
20. Chicagoan
21. New Yorker
22. Southern Ohioan
23. Mid-Atlantic
24. New Jerseyan