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American Accent

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:10 am
by seodevhead
Okay... I know a lot of you on this forum are in Europe... and since I'm American.. I've always wanted to ask a European (particulary a Brit) this question:

Does an American accent sound "cool" to the British?

Like here in America, when we listen to Tony Blair, or anyone else with a British accent, we love that "british" accent and articulation. It sounds very cultured. Is the same true for you guys hearing an American accent? Or do we all sound like wierdos.

Dumb question... but very interested in the answer.

Re: American Accent

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:02 am
by Chris Corbyn
seodevhead wrote:Okay... I know a lot of you on this forum are in Europe... and since I'm American.. I've always wanted to ask a European (particulary a Brit) this question:

Does an American accent sound "cool" to the British?

Like here in America, when we listen to Tony Blair, or anyone else with a British accent, we love that "british" accent and articulation. It sounds very cultured. Is the same true for you guys hearing an American accent? Or do we all sound like wierdos.

Dumb question... but very interested in the answer.
I don't want to answer ;) I think it depends on the accent, and the person you ask.

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:53 am
by matthijs
Personally I prefer British English. You are right that British sounds somewhat more cultured. To me as a dutchie American sounds a bit harsh, raw, unpolished. But not always. There are so many American accents, from mid-west to spanish-american to british-american.

Maybe it's somewhat the same with the Dutch and Belgian language. Dutch is much more unpolished, raw with "hard" letters like ggg and rrrr. Belgian is much softer.

Hmm, just reread your post and see you are specifically asking the question to the Brits here? Then I'll shut up :)

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:48 am
by MrPotatoes
the only accents that i like from my country is southern accent. my girl has that accent but only when she's angry. so i try my best on certain days to make her mad so i can hear it. it's great when i tell her i was just playing and we "make up" lol

i should honestly stop doing that

one accent i don't like is the boston accent. and i love boston. the greatest city in the world

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:23 am
by thiscatis
Yeah, the boston accent is pretty neat..
Certainly compared to the Texas accent 8O :? :roll:

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:32 am
by Burrito
there is a very large number of American accents, as there is a very large number of british accents.

I've heard two of you brits talk ((from this forum) and I won't name names here :P ), and you two sounded completely different.

Probably the same difference as between someone from Long Island and someone from Jersey. Or someone from California, and someone from Alabama.

To the OP, I'm not a brit so I probably wouldn't qualify as one to answer your question, but I will say this: I think because of Hollywood being what it s and how it has exposed the American culture (and accents) to the world, I'm sure our accents don't sound as 'neat' and unique to the rest of the world.

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:53 am
by alex.barylski
As a Canadian I can safely way, that we don't have accents :P

Well maybe East Coaster's do but most of us don't!!!

Same applies to most American, as I sound pretty much like most hollywood, TV personalities, with some caveats...

I say About, not Aboot...like South Park dictates...

But I do say "Roof" not "Ruff" like most Americans... :P

I always get a kick out of that...

And of course, the ever popular "Eh" as a Canadian comes out alot...

Other than that, I don't have an accent :P

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:08 pm
by neophyte
Hockey wrote: And of course, the ever popular "Eh" as a Canadian comes out alot...
Noway "eh" comes from the "ooper" (aka upper peninsula of Michigan). ;)

I'm going to go "warsh" my hands, get some "begs" and go to de store dontcha know...

Personally my favorite Canadian accent is nova scotia.

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:29 pm
by alex.barylski
East coat accents...sound very Irish... :P

I have a good number of friends from out East..

"Aye there boi...get in tha carrr and go real farrrr....and drive to tha barrrr..." :P