American Accent

[sysyphus]

The key thing to remeber is that accents change over time. The British accent at the time of the settlement of the present day USA was quite different from the British accent of today.

From what I understand, in those days the British accent was somewhat more like the present day US accent. As the US was settled, the accent there evolved one way and the accent in Britain evolved another way.

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by Yoshimune
She also studied abroad for a year in Scotland, so she can do an English accent fairly well.

Go visit Oxford and then go visit Glasgow. After that you will never say nonsense like this again!

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by sysyphus
The key thing to remeber is that accents change over time. The British accent at the time of the settlement of the present day USA was quite different from the British accent of today.

From what I understand, in those days the British accent was somewhat more like the present day US accent. As the US was settled, the accent there evolved one way and the accent in Britain evolved another way.

I have heart about this theory too. At least the English have changed words like harbour, colour and favour. They all used to be with just the o.

I do not know about civilisation.....

Though there is not a single american, nor a single british accent, some words are truely different and easy to be recognised as either british or american. Tomahtoes / Tomaytoes, Priffacy / Pryvacy. Sometimes words are different: holidays / vacation, football / soccer .

 

[Yoshimune]

Originally posted by Stapel

Go visit Oxford and then go visit Glasgow. After that you will never say nonsense like this again!

Are you saying that nobody in Scotland (more specifically: Edinburgh, University of) speaks with an English accent? Or are you just exaggerating to disprove a moot point I couldn't easily prove in the first place?

I wonder why someone from the countries in question didn't correct me?

Sheesh. I'll refrain from generalizing about Scotland and England in the future.

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by Yoshimune


Are you saying that nobody in Scotland (more specifically: Edinburgh, University of) speaks with an English accent? Or are you just exaggerating to disprove a moot point I couldn't easily prove in the first place?

I wonder why someone from the countries in question didn't correct me?

Sheesh. I'll refrain from generalizing about Scotland and England in the future.

I was making a bit fun.... But still... I have been in Edinburgh, but I didn't hear an english accent overthere! Learning an English accent in Edinburgh doesn't make sense to me.

BTW, Phoenix_night seems to agree with me.

 

[Zarn]

Originally posted by jpowers


Some of us who grew up on the East Coast can even pick which exit of the Jersey turnpike you are from.

I was born on Long Island, so I wouldn't be from anywhere in New Jersey.

 

[phoenix_night]

Originally posted by sysyphus
The key thing to remeber is that accents change over time. The British accent at the time of the settlement of the present day USA was quite different from the British accent of today.

From what I understand, in those days the British accent was somewhat more like the present day US accent. As the US was settled, the accent there evolved one way and the accent in Britain evolved another way.

I've heard this before, but it has it actually been proven now? I don't think it has, has it? I have a hard time believing it anyway. They obviously evolved differently, there's no doubting that. But that claim just sounds so...American.

Regarding spelling, was it not a case of the UK simply changing spellings, rather simply an official spelling appearing?

 

[De Lorimier]

What sysphus is saying makes sense because I read about how the north american french (mostly spoke here) is like the old french talked before in France.

 

[phoenix_night]

Originally posted by De Lorimier
What sysphus is saying makes sense because I read about how the north american french (mostly spoke here) is like the old french talked before in France.

I don't see any sense in it. I don't believe it. I've heard many people say it, but that doesn't make it any more likely to me. I mean, really, where's the sense in it?

 

[Yoshimune]

Originally posted by phoenix_night

I don't see any sense in it. I don't believe it. I've heard many people say it, but that doesn't make it any more likely to me. I mean, really, where's the sense in it?

If accents don't (and can't) change, why don't English people talk like Shakespeare nowadays? And why don't Americans talk like English people? The premise is just as likely as any other situation because accents can and do change.

 

[phoenix_night]

Originally posted by Yoshimune
If accents don't (and can't) change, why don't English people talk like Shakespeare nowadays? And why don't Americans talk like English people? The premise is just as likely as any other situation because accents can and do change.

It's not as likely.

America's mass immigration and various national identities would be reason enough alone.

It's highly unlikely, I would say, that the USA accent today has somehow found itself nearer the "original English accent".

And by the way, I never said languages don't evolve, what gave you that idea?

 

[thestonesfan]

Originally posted by Yoshimune


If accents don't (and can't) change, why don't English people talk like Shakespeare nowadays? And why don't Americans talk like English people? The premise is just as likely as any other situation because accents can and do change.

I talk like Shakespeare. You got a problem wit dat?

This whole conversation would be a lot more fun if we could hear each other talk!

 

[Yoshimune]

Originally posted by phoenix_night


It's not as likely.

America's mass immigration and various national identities would be reason enough alone.

Well, where did they learn English?

Originally posted by phoenix_night

And by the way, I never said languages don't evolve, what gave you that idea?

Because you said you don't see any sense in it. But it makes just as much sense as saying, the language was completely different from either version 200 years ago and evolved to its two current versions. But that's because you don't want to concede an American-centric possibility.

Originally posted by thestonesfan

I talk like Shakespeare. You got a problem wit dat?

This whole conversation would be a lot more fun if we could hear each other talk!

Wherefore thou dost speaketh like so? 'Tis heartfelt, I concede, yet it mixes mind's comprehension.

I don't know if we would be able to understand everyone if this were a voice-posting board. I know from studying Japanese that languages you aren't fluent in are a lot easier to write, because you can take your time to make sure the grammar and spelling is correct. (well, ok, so most people, americans included, don't have time...)

 

[sysyphus]

Originally posted by De Lorimier
What sysphus is saying makes sense because I read about how the north american french (mostly spoke here) is like the old french talked before in France.

I believe that the Québec accent (aka joual) stems from the accent of 17th-century Normandy where most of the original settlers of Québec came from. I'm sure it has changed significantly since then mind you.

 

[sysyphus]

Originally posted by phoenix_night
I've heard this before, but it has it actually been proven now? I don't think it has, has it? I have a hard time believing it anyway. They obviously evolved differently, there's no doubting that. But that claim just sounds so...American.

Obviously it's impossible to prove how people spoke then since it is long before the invention of audio recording, but lingusists do have some sort of basis for it I am sure.

One ought to listen to record voices from the early 20th century recordings. The change in accents, both British and American, is quite apparent.

 

[phoenix_night]

Originally posted by Yoshimune
Well, where did they learn English?

The immigrants? America.

Originally posted by Yoshimune
Because you said you don't see any sense in it. But it makes just as much sense as saying, the language was completely different from either version 200 years ago and evolved to its two current versions. But that's because you don't want to concede an American-centric possibility.

No it doesn't. Languages do evolve. The way the language has evolved makes it highly unlikely that it has somehow wandered off and then found its way back to the original English. Out of all the possible outcomes, the chances of it turning out so close to original English are very slim indeed.

 

[phoenix_night]

Originally posted by sysyphus


Obviously it's impossible to prove how people spoke then since it is long before the invention of audio recording, but lingusists do have some sort of basis for it I am sure.

One ought to listen to record voices from the early 20th century recordings. The change in accents, both British and American, is quite apparent.

Nobody is denying accents evolve. The American accent clearly has, but the chances of it then evolving and in some roundabout way leading back to original English is hard aren't too good.

 

[bobgote]

i can do a pretty good american accent by pinching my nose and trying to talk

Originally posted by Gingerbread Man


There is a book called "Speaking American", written by... someone.
Some Australian actors have taken classes to imitate american accents - Eric Bana is one that comes to mind.

..and some others haven't i'm guessing...like hugh jackman

Originally posted by Kryten
A true story:-
When I visited Nashville several years ago, I had to pull into a 'gas station' in order to buy some petrol for my hired car.
The girl behind the counter heard my cockney accent and commented "Hi there...are you Australian?"
Without thinking I replied "No, I’m British....are you Canadian?" and she actually lost that false 'have-a-nice-day' smile!

hehe. but i can understand why. Although the accent is different, there's a lot of common words well maybe one or two. and you being called Australian is probably like me being called a New Zealander *shivers in disgust*

 

[Yago]

Because you said you don't see any sense in it. But it makes just as much sense as saying, the language was completely different from either version 200 years ago and evolved to its two current versions. But that's because you don't want to concede an American-centric possibility.

I wonder what the reason may be, that you are so strongly in favour of an American-centric possibility.

Whatever, an American-centric possibility is highly unlikely, because the evolving of lanugages, dialects and accents is accelerated by exposure to other languages. Now, from the very start, there was a huge dutch-impact. And other languages impacted too. So, the American accent had many more reasons to stray away from it's roots and evolve in different directions.

 

[Azale]

Originally posted by bobgote
i can do a pretty good american accent by pinching my nose and trying to talk

I interpreted that as an insult, the smilies dont fool me!



I live in the most southern accent saturated place in Texas, which is saying something, and for some reason its only about 1 in 10 or so people that have that stereotypical "twang" to thier voice.

Seriously, I could pass for a Midwesterner or perhaps squeak through as Californian.


And it seems everyone thinks thier country is MORE diverse then any other when it comes to languages. But we all are humbled in the presence of India, who has over 80,000 (right?) languages that are actually native, with many different ways to speak those 80,000 languages. Maybe allhailindia could give us some background (Ive seen the stats and such, but dont really know the regions and such)