Across the world, Texas is known for its cowboys, cattle, tall-tales, two-steppers, swaggers and braggers, barbeque, the infamous “don’t mess with Texas” mentality and of course, that Texas drawl.

Texans are famous for having a distinct accent, one that seems to be fading.

In 2003, linguistic experts from the University of Texas at San Antonio set out to observe what seems to be a fading dialect and discover what it is that makes the accent unique.

Professors Guy Bailey and Jan Tillery conducted an extensive study on what they call Texas English, or TXE. Using a grid, they divided Texas into 116 regions and interviewed four people in each, ideally four generations of a single family. They were asked about 250 questions, all aimed to pinpoint certain vocabulary and pronunciation traits.

Bailey, a native Alabamian, notes the TXE is different from other closely-related varieties.

One very distinct TXE trend, the pair observed, was the use of the double modal in phrases such as “might could.” Also, most Texans showed no difference in pronunciation between “pool” and “pull” or “fool” and “full.” Furthermore, it was not uncommon for “I” to come out sounding more like “ah.”

The study revealed many characteristically-TXE patterns are more evident in older crowds than in young.

The study also confirmed the gradual dwindling of the Texas accent is more evident in and around major cities. For example, the jay birds are “nekkid” on the West Texas planes but are “naykid” in Dallas.

Bailey concludes “Texans in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio are sounding more like other Americans and less like their fellow Texans in Iraan, Red Lick or Old Glory.”

The Texas accent may be more dominant in smaller towns but every region has experienced a decrease in its prominence. The weakening of the Texas accent is possibly related to the growing presence of non-Texans. 2007 census figures confirm that, between 2006 and 2007, Texas led in drawing the largest number of residents from other states.

Children in urban Texas today grow up and go to school with Texas transplants, and those peers become the major influence on speech.

Regardless of age or region, researchers observed that Texas newcomers are quick to pick up on “y’all” and even “fixin’.” But the study shows double modals are still for the natives.

They also theorize that some urban Texans might purposely steer away from “pronunciations (that) carry a stigma of unsophistication.”

The one thing that nearly all Texans have in common is that we are extremely proud of our state.

The TXE is synonymous with the many things I love about Texas.

When I hear a Texas accent I think of Texas’ rich and colorful history. I think of bluebonnets, friendly people and warm hospitality. I am immediately reminded of my grandpa and his prayers to the “Lard” before supper or my sweet grandma “warshing” dishes.

My Texas-trained ear can easily tell a Texas accent from a regular Southern accent and it is a shame that something so unique is disappearing. The Texas accent is emblematic of the quirky charm that Texans undoubtedly possess.

It is like a “badge of pride,” representing the great state Texans have dubbed the biggest and the best.

Maddie Tasker is a freshman news-editorial major from The Woodlands.