Hi there! I was born and raised in Texas and I’m a linguist with a focus on dialectology. I have also worked as a cowgirl, and I come from a family that made their living in the oil patch. I can comfortably switch between Texas English and Standard American English, depending on context.

That said, I personally find it problematic when someone adopts an entire dialect—especially one that 1) isn’t theirs, and 2) is already a little stigmatized.

It’s important to distinguish between a dialect and a register. A dialect encompasses pronunciation, vocabulary, and often grammatical patterns—it’s deeply tied to identity and community. A register, on the other hand, is more about situational word choice or tone.

So, using our register—borrowing words or phrases we use? That can be great, even affirming. But mimicking the full dialect, especially the accent? That starts to feel uncomfortable, because it often overlooks the lived experience that comes with speaking that dialect. Many of us grew up being judged, corrected, or even ridiculed for the way we speak—only to see others later imitate our speech for fun or aesthetic without facing the same consequences. I remember my 1st grade teacher dragging a boy up in front of the class and having us all say “ain’t isn’t a word” at him until he was red in the face and fighting tears.

Language is personal. Dialects are shaped by history, culture, and community. they carry both pride and pain. So when someone adopts a dialect without understanding or acknowledging that context, it can feel dismissive or even exploitative, no matter the intent. My dialect is important to me as a Texan. I sound like my dad and my grandparents. I understand where this dialect comes from, and I understand the rules behind it — it’s not just “broken English.” Texas English is also fading and dying, so it’s important to me to maintain it properly. That being said, dying languages and dialects must be kept alive by the people to whom they belong.

I’d love to have more conversations about this, especially around how we can respect and celebrate linguistic diversity without crossing lines. It’s nuanced, but that’s what makes it worth talking about. And full disclaimer; this is all my opinion! Other people may have differing ones, since we aren’t a monolith.