Some possible variables in the “Mary Story":
(in the order in which they
occur in the story)
Vowels
Mary = merry
Are the vowels in Mary and merry
distinct or the same?
white, fireplace, brightly, sight
Is /ai/ monophthongized (southern) or diphthongized?
Caller = collar
Are the vowels in caller and collar
distinct or the same?
Dog, log, saw, paw
Are the vowels diphthongized (southern)?
Get, many
Does the vowel sound like “i” (“git” or “minny”)?
Vowels
Street
“shtreet” or “street”?
Washed
Is there an intrusive /r/ (“warshed”)?
The intrusive /r/ is typical of Appalachian dialects.
Greasy
Is the last consonant “s” or “z”?
“z” is more “southern”