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Question about Accents?
I was just wondering how non-American, English speaking people such as those from the UK and Australia feel about American accents. I know many people in America, including myself, really like the English accent. I just wondered if I were in one of your countries for a visit would you notice that I have an accent? Would you like it? I'm from the American Midwest...Central Illinois to be more precise.
I'm asking because I've heard varying accounts of our accents. Some have said that it's been determined that our "accent" is completely neutral and really doesn't exist so it's the "accent" that others are defined against. I've also heard that when someone from my part of the world visited England they enjoyed her accent a lot and always wanted her to talk. Since I'm from here I don't notice any sort of accent, but I find myself transfixed when people from other countries talk with one. Just wondering if any of those people take interest in ours.
Any thoughts?? Thanks! :)
Cheers to all for your answers!! :) I feel much the same way as you do about accents in general. My reason for asking the question, though, is to gain a better understanding of how the accent in my part of the world is perceived. Do we even have one? If so, is it interesting in any way? ...or pretty dull and barely noticeable? Please let me know. Thanks! :)
3 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
I'm fine with it, and i think most English people are too.
This is because of heavy exposure to Americanism in the media .
- Effendi RLv 51 decade ago
As a non-native English speaker I pick up accents very fast and can almost always immediately tell from which region in the world an English speaker comes from... it is difficult to explain the variations, but an Australian sounds Australian, an American has an American accent and a Brit, well, an English accent... I suppose it also depends on local idiosyncrasies which people let flow into their speech, too! A South African might cultivate a British accent but suddenly 'ach' or 'nie' pops up in his or her speech and there you go...
Sometimes it is true, some people have such a 'neutral' accent that it is hard to tell. And as for England, not only regional accents matter, but also 'class accents'...
I find it a good thing that there are so many languages, dialects and accents to differentiate the various nationalities. We all wear jeans, and watch the same stupid TV programmes all over the world, let there be at least a difference in the way we speak...
Have a nice day!
- KikkazLv 41 decade ago
I love all English language based accents and really enjoy listening to the varieties.
I have a pretty dull and boring straightforward 'Queen's English' accent, so I'm all ears, bright eyed and bushy tailed, when exposed to all other kinds of accents: pure music to my ear-drums!
I especially love the Scottish accent...'och nanoo, laddie!'(my fave...) but I also have a soft spot for Irish or 'oih-rish'; New York ('cup-ar-kuorr-fee'); Australian ('kuaalah-beear') and Cockney (oaw-wigh' may't!)....not to mention all the non-English native speaking accents, which add to the beauty and fun.
Bring'em all on, the more the merrier, I say...for the sake of variety and culture!
