Montana Soldier's Accent


The soldier from Montana had a Germanic accent (Dutch, perhaps?). Does anyone know why this is? Was he supposed to be an immigrant who moved to Montana and identified himself as a Montanan, not by his country of origin? If so, why didn't anyone in the film comment on it like they did the Polish soldier?

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Every now and then say, "What the *beep*." "What the *beep*" gives you freedom.

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If you mean Yoder, it's because he's actually Welsh lol.

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"WHERE ARE THE TURTLES?!?!"

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The 77th Division, which these soldiers served with, was made out of National Guard units, mostly from New York City (later in the war those state-by-state distinctions went out the window are replacements came in). The 77th's nickname was the "Statue of Liberty" Division because of how many immigrants had enlisted. For most of them, English was definitely not their first language.

It's been long since I've seen the film, but maybe the Montana soldier said he was from Montana precisely because he didn't want to get kidded about a nationality which, in American slang, means a cheater. Or maybe he was just proud of his new home state.

Anyway, the question has got me itching to see the film again.

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I know it been a while since you post the question but here the answer, in many of the northern plain states at the beginning of 20th century they actually spoke german as the main language

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