Hello folks,
Not trying to be a wise guy, but I noticed the title of this poll and I was wondering if 'Where you be?' is proper English or proper American English for that matter.
I would probably ask: 'Where are you located?' or 'Where do you live?'
'Where you be?' sounds somewhat odd to me, which is also the reason why I didn't look at the thread when it was posted some time ago.
Just trying to learn something here!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Hans,
I know you have been flirting with English for as long, if not longer, than I have, and I must admit that it took me some time to adjust to the humor, as perceived by native English speaking folks, from a second language speaker mindset.
This intentional slang you are referring to, is not grammatically correct, and it's on purpose. It is the equivalent of a Netherlands city boy mimicking a Netherlands country farmer and humoring his expressions.
My late Father was from the deep French Country, and had this "Peasant" accent including the rolling of the "R's", and we (his children), spent a lifetime of teasing, imitating his accent and copying his expressions, for everyone's amusement, including his own. (And we still regularly do, to honor his memory, as he would have wanted us to do).
So I guess, this second degree humor based on language subtleties is easier to catch when the language in question is your native one.
It's a cultural thing I guess.
There are many other aspects of the humor differences across cultures.
For instance in my early months in the US, I couldn't understand why the image of someone getting shot in the rear end for trespassing a property, was irresistibly hilarious to everyone around except me, until I fully realized it was the result of a cultural difference (relating to firearms in this particular example).
"Where you be" is funny to many people, despite the fact that it is grammatically incorrect, because it portrays an attitude, kinda poking fun at literacy and lightening up the subject at hand. (Wow! I'm getting deep here...)
And btw... it's one of the things I love about the blues: The parallel language that defined a whole culture within.
The language is funny, cuz ain't nothing right bout' it, but it says exactly what it meant to say, and only adds to the power of the message, by giving a wink to the "educated" and telling him: "See? I can sound better than you do, and make as much sense, even with the wrong words!" :rugby: