The British Accent - A lesson on ignorance.

[Cmwissy]

My fellow escapists, I come here today to teach you on British accents - the first lesson; there is no definitive British accent

First of all; let me explain what has happened - Britain has always been class-based ( The Queen is a Combat rogue ) meaning a lower class-person will be left in the blue when it comes to the media (well at-least till recently they were)

Meaning you would never find a cockney-sparrow on TV a few years back; this is why we have the term 'BBC English', The 'BBC' accent is a Middle/upper-class Greater London accent; these were the only people on TV a few years back and because of that; the rest of the world has come to accept the 'British accent' in Media as one, BBC-based accent.

On to our second lesson - Differences.

I(ironically) grew up in Surrey; meaning I have a media 'BBC' accent - for an example of It's usage; I put an unnecessary 'r'' in some of my words.

Whereas a man (Let's call him Cabbages) In Somerset - Is completely different (Perhaps this is why Americans can never ever tell if somebody is from the UK) People from Somerset have been nicknamed 'Mummerset' by some - seeing as they mumble almost every word incredibly softly; yet with great emotion.

Some of the vocabulary used is reflective of English of a bygone era, e.g. the verb "to hark" (as in "'ark a'ee"), "thee" (often abbreviated to "'ee") etc, the increased use of the infinitive form of the verb "to be" etc

- To quote Wikipedia; this is a common Somerset characteristic (One that us South-easterners do not share)



And now - the Shocking truth - Somerset is a 2hour 34 minute journey from my front door; As you can see the differences in accent within a small distance is incredible - I could go on and on about the west-midlands, the North; all sorts of places - and that's only in one country; and Scotland has even more accents than England.


So, my foreign friends - the next time you say 'British accent' Remember 'Mummerset'

 

[Cherry Cola]

I'm still going to say British accent.

Because I'm lazy, and I take the easy way out.

 

[Cmwissy]

I'm still going to say British accent.

Because I'm lazy, and I take the easy way out.

Alright - my German friend.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I only have to travel ten minutes down the road and bang, new accent. Also, I hate the geordie accent with a passion.

 

[LeonLethality]

EDIT: never mind you fixed it

OT: I learned about this a while ago from a friend after he gave me a lesson on my ignorance x.x

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Well, thank you.

I would like to say the same about the Irish accent.

A Belfast accent is very different to a Cork accent.

This lol, everybody who isn't Irish who attempts an Irish accent bursts out screaming "TOP oh the mornin' to ya, hold me close!"

 

[Tiny116]

So, my foreign friends - the next time you say 'British accent' Remember 'Mummerset'

Being Bristolian I resent that grr.
not that I have a somerset accent, but people like to say I have a Farmers accent, a west country accent, my personal favourite
"You're accent is like a perfect mix between Farmer and Pirate!"
But i don't mumble ;-)

 

[Cherry Cola]

I'm still going to say British accent.

Because I'm lazy, and I take the easy way out.

Alright - my German friend.

Oooh, I see what you did there

 

[Cmwissy]

I'm still going to say British accent.

Because I'm lazy, and I take the easy way out.

Alright - my German friend.

He's Swedish...

Edit for fail on my behalf.

 

[Cmwissy]

Damn you for missing the Sarcasm.

I saw he was Swedish, and said he was German because they're both in Europe; to create Sarcasm.

Damn you.

I didn't miss it though. Look at the quote.

He's Swedish...oh I get it.

I was making a joke.

Disregard that, I'm an idiot.

 

[Xanian]

It's British because it comes from Britain...so while there are many, it still falls under the same flag, now doesn't it.

All countries have a plethora of accents...huzzah.

 

[Legion]

I thought this was going to be about how the English, Welsh, Scottish and the Irish all have different accents so it's not possible to have a British one, in the same way it's not possible to have a European accent.

 

[cynicalandbored]

Well, thank you.

I would like to say the same about the Irish accent.

A Belfast accent is very different to a Cork accent.

We have far too many accents for such a small island... People from North Kilkenny can tell I'm from South Kilkenny because of my accent. People from Waterford can tell I'm from Kilkenny because of my accent. I'm surprised people in the next village down the road can't tell the same... And what's up with Wexford? Strangest accent EVER!

I also love the amount of English, Welsh and Scottish accents there are. I enjoy learning to mimic them all...

 

[Sneaklemming]

does it matter? I'm still gonna generalise american accents, even if I can recognise CA from IL

 

[Cmwissy]

It's British because it comes from Britain...so while there are many, it still falls under the same flag, now doesn't it.

All countries have a plethora of accents...huzzah.

You have an Earth-accent.

See how that doesn't make sense?

All Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans and Americans now have a 'Western accent' because I can't be bothered to learn.

I thought this was going to be about how the English, Welsh, Scottish and the Irish all have different accents so it's not possible to have a British one, in the same way it's not possible to have a European accent.

Sorry, I only did England (and partly Scotland) because I don't know that much about Irish and Welsh accents - and I'd rather not make a fool of myself.

It's just mad how you can get four close countries and generalize them.

does it matter? I'm still gonna generalise american accents, even if I can recognise CA from IL

You don't have to, All you have to do is not make a fool of youself which most people do when they use the term.

 

[ResonanceSD]

Apparently I speak with a "british" accent. Which is odd, as I was born in India and raised Australian But stuff it, I sound cool.