A question about English accents?

A question about English accents?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

answer:I have always wondered this myself. Perhaps the American accent is the result of a mashing together of several different British accents that have sort of “flattened” resulting in the ultimate, unadorned British accent. I’m American, btw, and to me, English accents and American accents sound as different as chalk and cheese, but it is possible that we actually sound quite similar. When I hear an Australian or Irish or Scottish accent, for instance, I know that they are not English accents, but they sound very obviously from the same part of the world to me.
by

Related questions

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lives in 10 downing street, who lives in the first nine?

Description : The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lives in 10 downing street, who lives in the first nine?

Last Answer : The Chief Whip has 9 currently. The first 8 were demolished in 1824 and replaced with other government buildings.

What is the instruction (exact words) given to the British Royal navy ship? See detail.

Description : What is the instruction (exact words) given to the British Royal navy ship? See detail.

Last Answer : It is surprising to me that a normally literate person such as yourself, @flo, will post a question like this when the answers are readily available on other web sites. Here (one of many) is what CNN posted yesterday.

When you compare the US to the UK, what significant similarities or differences do YOU note?

Description : When you compare the US to the UK, what significant similarities or differences do YOU note?

Last Answer : Well, the biggest difference is, of course, the language. In England, they speak correct English.

Will you Brits answer some questions?

Description : Will you Brits answer some questions?

Last Answer : answer:Oh. Fun. 1) I used to have one once in a while. Never regularly. I've been vegetarian for 20 years, so it's a thing of the past for me. I don't know anyone who regularly ... I'm being general. England if I'm being more geographically specific. And British when referring to my nationality.

British Bank Holiday - what are you doing?

Description : British Bank Holiday - what are you doing?

Last Answer : Just got back from a round of golf, cash won, spent on a round of drinks for all…hoorah!! Currently chillin watching Top Gear Africa Special, niiiice.

On Downton Abbey, do you have a favourite character (NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!)

Description : On Downton Abbey, do you have a favourite character (NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!)

Last Answer : I have a soft spot for Carson.

Am I really trying to be British?

Description : Am I really trying to be British?

Last Answer : I don’t think because you love things British you are trying to BE British. You are simply an Anglophile and there is nothing wrong with that. You have plenty of company, myself included.

Can you hear British accent? What is the Prince saying?

Description : Can you hear British accent? What is the Prince saying?

Last Answer : He says “how do you know I’m not a radio station.” Yes he is laughing the prank off. Then he says he is very proud to be a grandfather.

How much would it have cost to run Downton Abbey in 1920?

Description : How much would it have cost to run Downton Abbey in 1920?

Last Answer : I don't know the answer, but I just read a book called Fall of Giants by Ken Follett where he discusses a Downton Abbey-like estate and the staff and expenses that would have been necessary. That ... The Real Downton Abbey. If you find that article, you may learn more to help answer your question.

Anyone watching the closing ceremonies (you Brits have the best music)

Description : Anyone watching the closing ceremonies (you Brits have the best music)

Last Answer : Not on here in the SF Bay Area. NBC could have shown it live.

Why do actual British people hate Piers Morgan?

Description : Why do actual British people hate Piers Morgan?

Last Answer : Because he was formerly the editor of the Daily Mirror, tabloid rag newspaper. Oh & he’s a cunt.

Are you for or against companies being granted the capability of "googling" your face?

Description : Are you for or against companies being granted the capability of "googling" your face?

Last Answer : answer:If you posted the picture of yourself online, you are allowing anyone to see it. Why would you be surprised that a company might use this to their advantage? Bottom line, people choose to ... that people put into documents that they assume are private, such as an online order form, etc.)

Would you like a jelly baby?

Description : Would you like a jelly baby?

Last Answer : answer:Does that mean a really young Flutherer? lol Or .. are you referring to candy?? Either way .. thanks, but I think I’m good! I’ll just settle for my blueberry muffins!

When Hong Kong was no longer under British rule did the citizens lose their British passports?

Description : When Hong Kong was no longer under British rule did the citizens lose their British passports?

Last Answer : Here’s the answer to your Q: BNO British Nationals Overseas

Why was the polar bear,that fatally injured a British young man, subsequently killed?

Description : Why was the polar bear,that fatally injured a British young man, subsequently killed?

Last Answer : The bear was shot while it was still attacking people.

Your favourite British sitcom just happens to be?

Description : Your favourite British sitcom just happens to be?

Last Answer : Red Dwarf.

Where does the British word "cheeky" originate?

Description : Where does the British word "cheeky" originate?

Last Answer : answer:There’s tons of british slang I would like explained, if anyone considers themselves an authority. Great question @linuxgnuru

Anybody remember this tv show?

Description : Anybody remember this tv show?

Last Answer : I’m not sure… I will however, keep thinking about it and see if soemthing clicks in my brain… how old are you uber…do you mind me asking…?

American vs British Standup/Humour?

Description : American vs British Standup/Humour?

Last Answer : I have no links, but, just wanted to add my preferences. I think that British comedies (be it film or tv - Ab Fab, Black Adder, French and Saunders, Monty Python, Ricky Gervais) are brilliant, ... Wanda Sykes, Kathy Griffin). No comment on the what's clever or lowbrow. Just stating what I like..

Why is the Brititish Citizenship test so hard not even a national could pass it!

Description : Why is the Brititish Citizenship test so hard not even a national could pass it!

Last Answer : Cause they don’t want immigrants to be citizens.

Why do Americans seem to think people from Britain have bad teeth?

Description : Why do Americans seem to think people from Britain have bad teeth?

Last Answer : answer:America has private healthcare, including orthodontists. United Kingdom has public healthcare. Public healthcare infers long waits, poor standards, and limited options in remedies. I have straight, off-white teeth ... teeth. I and may Brits do not white teeth do to the volume of tea consumed.

How many accents must I learn to be truly fluent in English?

Description : How many accents must I learn to be truly fluent in English?

Last Answer : No one seems to be that into my question.. well, for example, cockney accent is not English! Edit: to me, at least.

Daughter talks in 2 different English accents?

Description : Daughter talks in 2 different English accents?

Last Answer : That is absolutely normal. Most of my bilingual/bicultural friends who grew up in America speak to their friends in a normal American accent and to their parents/relatives in the accent that their parents have ... you speak to her with an Indian accent so she learned to speak to you in that vein.

What is the origin of the accents in American English speakers?

Description : What is the origin of the accents in American English speakers?

Last Answer : answer:A manner of speaking for a specific country is called an ACCENT, such as a British Accent, or a an Italian Accent. Within a specific country, there are regional DIALECTS, such as the Southern ... , but I'm quoting him from his own writings. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Welk

A question about actors and foreign accents?

Description : A question about actors and foreign accents?

Last Answer : Listen to Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love and other Brit-speak movies.

Boring question #43: Does the UK have different dialects and accents among its population?

Description : Boring question #43: Does the UK have different dialects and accents among its population?

Last Answer : ?

How can you learn IT from an instructors with accents?

Description : How can you learn IT from an instructors with accents?

Last Answer : You don’t have an accent, right?

Why do people think southern accents mean you're stupid?

Description : Why do people think southern accents mean you're stupid?

Last Answer : It’s a result of the stereotype; there are certain dialects and accents that people associate with a lack of sophistication and education, and unfortunately that association is not even necessarily conscious.

Why does Siri have different voices and accents?

Description : Why does Siri have different voices and accents?

Last Answer : answer:I wish there were even more options, they all seem to sound snotty. The ones for the Google personal assistant on Android phones sounds even snottier to me. I think they give ... that people from different English-speaking regions or nations might have a hard time understanding each other.

Why are some accents more attractive than others?

Description : Why are some accents more attractive than others?

Last Answer : answer:Good point. Take Spanish and Portuguese for example. Spanish is smooth and pleasing to the ear. I find Portuguese to be guttural, full of stops, and not particularly easy to listen to. I have gotten used to German, but I agree with you about Arabic and Hebrew.

Do you Brits and Aussies and Kiwi's and Scots, South Africans and Canadians, and Irish and Welsh, folk like the sound of American accents?

Description : Do you Brits and Aussies and Kiwi's and Scots, South Africans and Canadians, and Irish and Welsh, folk like the sound of American accents?

Last Answer : answer:And our @UCME sounds wonderful! As does our @Mama_Cakes.

Does sign language exist in other accents or languages?

Description : Does sign language exist in other accents or languages?

Last Answer : Of course there is. That is how deaf people the world over speak . No there is no accent since it is performed by the hands.

Did the Caesar's have italian mobster accents?

Description : Did the Caesar's have italian mobster accents?

Last Answer : answer:You mean the Roman emperors? If so, they spoke Latin and not Italian. No one knows exactly how spoken Latin might have sounded but it is a pretty straightforward language. (You do not need apostrophes to make plural proper nouns.) Caesars Sopranos

People of non-American nationalities. What is your view of American accents?

Description : People of non-American nationalities. What is your view of American accents?

Last Answer : I am married to someone who was born and raised in another country and he thinks very extreme southern accents make people sound not too bright. It's probably more of a country southern accent. ... He loves British, Irish and similar accents. To him they sound much better than an American accent.

Does anyone else dislike accents?

Description : Does anyone else dislike accents?

Last Answer : answer:Accents can be strange and I think here in the UK we do seem to have so many that people will always find a few that annoy them. I think with me I pick up on ways that ... there are so many different accents around me they are just a minor irritation at times rather than anything worse.

Why do people with extremely heavy accents routinely repeat the same thing faster and faster when you can't understand their accent?

Description : Why do people with extremely heavy accents routinely repeat the same thing faster and faster when you can't understand their accent?

Last Answer : Frustration

How come some singers accents fade when they sing?

Description : How come some singers accents fade when they sing?

Last Answer : They train themselves to sing without an accent or they tone it down a lot. Don’t ask me how.

With accents, do perceptions vary by gender?

Description : With accents, do perceptions vary by gender?

Last Answer : Sometimes, yes. I’m from the south and I consider some southern accents to actually be very hicky as opposed to a sweet southern lilt. I don’t think it matters much with the gender. Hick is hick, no mater the gender.

In your country, are there any regional accents that are so impenetrable that you can have trouble understanding what the person is saying?

Description : In your country, are there any regional accents that are so impenetrable that you can have trouble understanding what the person is saying?

Last Answer : People from the bayou in Louisiana. Ohhhhhh god.

Why do fake Russian accents always sound the same in movies/games/shows, but never sound authentic?

Description : Why do fake Russian accents always sound the same in movies/games/shows, but never sound authentic?

Last Answer : You're really looking in the wrong place for authentication.. Their actors (in all the formats).. It's their job to act and an accent is part of the act thereby all accents are clones (as if they ... never make, so yes.. there is a distinctive difference and it can rub the wrong way. Nice catch.

How are accents created?

Description : How are accents created?

Last Answer : I’d like to say by habit.

Why do different parts of the U.S. have different accents?

Description : Why do different parts of the U.S. have different accents?

Last Answer : answer:Basically, it is because the populations become isolated and their way of pronunciation hardens into an accent. The basis for most Southers accents is the Virginia Piedmont accent. Over time, with ... so conservative a figure as a monarch can continue to change over her lifetime.[6] Source

Do you think accents make a person more attractive?

Description : Do you think accents make a person more attractive?

Last Answer : I think charm, kindness, sincerity, and the warmth of human compassion make a person more attractive. just kidding, i would date a British asshole before an American sweetheart any day.

Always wondered why people have accents/dialects when they speak.

Description : Always wondered why people have accents/dialects when they speak.

Last Answer : Dialects.

Are there different British accents?

Description : Are there different British accents?

Last Answer : Um. Durr.

How can I add the Spanish accents when I'm typing (on my Windows laptop)?

Description : How can I add the Spanish accents when I'm typing (on my Windows laptop)?

Last Answer : answer:Press one of the five accents, (` ’ ” ~ ^) then the letter. so ‘c is ç, ‘a is á, etc.

Why are there accents in the world?

Description : Why are there accents in the world?

Last Answer : answer:That’s a great question. I would imagine the same reason there’s different languages, broken into dialects, and further into regional accents. Weird world.

Why is it that black Americans seem to be exempt from regional accents?

Description : Why is it that black Americans seem to be exempt from regional accents?

Last Answer : I’ve definitely heard some black southern accents and some black Philly accents.

Where should I buy Living Accents patio furniture?

Description : Where should I buy Living Accents patio furniture?

Last Answer : Amazon offers all kinds of Living accents patio furniture. You may want to visit also sears. I know they do carry living accents especially that they are on sale these days.

How To Clean Living Accents Patio Furniture?

Description : How To Clean Living Accents Patio Furniture?

Last Answer : If your Living Accents patio furniture has seen better days, then you can learn how to efficiently clean your outdoor furniture. Starting with the upholstery, use a good upholstery cleaner. If there are stains on ... is made out of. For wood, use a good wood cleaner and follow with a wood protector.