Who talks with whom? Or, there really is a Northwest speech community

This is a typically fascinating question by Robert Krulwich at his blog: Who talks with whom?

Go read it.

It’s fascinating the data that support the observation that folks in a given region interact mostly with each other–not with outsiders.

Looks like good backup for the notion of a distinctly Northwest speech community.  And dialect of English.  (Including Chinook Jargon influence.)

Although there’s an exceptional pocket around Hood River, Oregon.  Tourists!