The British Accent - A lesson on ignorance.

[NicolasMarinus]

I LOVE British accents! Especially the dirty London dialect. Sorted!

Being from Belgium, we speak Dutch in the North of the country. There are about 5 main dialects that are so different that people will be subtitled on television when interviewed. And all of that on a surface of 300 by 100 km.

 

[AWAR]

Briish accent ftw

 

[Cmwissy]

SNIP

First off, they don't have their own government in the absolute sense of the word. They have devolved power, but those governments are not *sovereign* governments.

They are however; Singular countries with different issues, people, culture, history etc.

I hear Sweden and Germany are both in Europe - that means they're the same - right?

people who use the term 'British' for more than just the residents of England aren't ignorant

No they're not - because Britain is three countries; that's kind of the point of this thread.

they're just not in agreement with you.

It's objective information; there is no opinion on the matter, It's right or wrong; the UK is four countries each with different culture; there is no Singular 'British accent'

I wouldn't be so stupid to say Canada is part of America - why don't people return the favour?

 

[firedfns13]

So? I can tell when I'm playing a game with someone from the UK.
2 hours from my house is where people get that rural hick/southern accent, and I live in northern Illinois.

 

[Cmwissy]

So? I can tell when I'm playing a game with someone from the UK.
2 hours from my house is where people get that rural hick/southern accent, and I live in northern Illinois.

Well done on missing the point.

/pat

 

[Cmwissy]

Britain is like a continent, It's a group of close countries; just a smaller version - does the phrase 'European accent' make sense to you? - I hope not.

You do know that Britain isn't a country - right?


Each country has It's own government, people, culture.

It's no different from the relationship of the USA and Canada - but we don't group them as one country - do we?

Please--show me the equivalent of this:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980046_en_14#sch5

for Canada. Dude, even though Canadians joke about the influence of America, America has no official power over Canadian government.

Australians are lead by our queen, does that mean all Australians are now English?

Also - Scotland and Ireland have their own Parliament; we do however, have reps in each of our countries.


http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/


Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland are all still separate countries nevertheless (It's not hard information to find) do you not think It's stupid grouping four countries with one supposed culture and accent?

 

[TitsMcGee1804]

scouse accent = sandpaper dildo to the ears

geordie birds have the sexiest accent EVER!

 

[Surreysmith]

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.

well what about the british accent that american actors put on but only exists to be the british accent for american actors.

 

[Xanadeas]

Not exactly enlightening for me as I have several British friends and they don't really sound anything alike. One adds R sounds to words that end with short A sounds. My nickname for example: Xana. When he speaks it it sounds like Xanur instead. While the other sounds like he may have been hit in the mouth with a shovel sometimes. Though that might have something to do with him always being drunk....

 

[Caligulove]

I'm still gonna say accents primarily based on the nationality, because that's just easier to point out... if it goes any farther than that into discussion, and I know the type of accent, of course I will mention it.

But saying right out from the beginning the technical accent they speak... just makes you look less like youre informed and more like youre trying to prove something.

When it comes down to it, Scottish, English, Irish and Welsh are the first nationality and British, European, Earthen, are sub-nationalities.

let me clarify, I meant by regions, as in countries or territories of countries, such as the separate parts that make up the UK but are generally referred to by the region (Scotland, Wales etc) and the States making up the US- but of course smaller areas have different accents and have differences in them. Even state by state in the US or the smaller areas of UK territories.

But as for example, if I notice/mention a Swedish accent, I leave it there. I won't particularly go into their Sveamål accent (or whichever) unless it goes further into that part of the discussion.

But the difference is; Sweden and The USA are each countries of their own.

Britain is like a continent, It's a group of close countries; just a smaller version - does the phrase 'European accent' make sense to you? - I hope not.

You do know that Britain isn't a country - right?

...the hell? I'm hardly arguing and you suddenly come back and tell me I'm an idiot haha. But seriously, when did I make an assumption that Great Britain was anything but a part of the UK? You're the one calling the UK a small continent. And by that definition of continents based solely on diversity... then there are a lot of continents, apparently. The US AND Sweden fit that definition of a continent even- given all the difference and dialects. Probably with even more diversity in the US considering short history and large immigration within that short time span.

Of course people in different parts of the United Kingdom have different accents because like the United States they are a combination of territories under one banner. Each of them have a different history though based on their location, though. I don't generalize someone as having a 'United Kingdom' accent- because the different regions are so drastically different from one another. The same goes for saying two people in US, one from the north and one from the south- both have 'American' accents.

Your point about accents extends to nearly every country that has different accents, let alone different languages and dialects. But I think the point youre making is that it's misrepresented or erroneously generalized as 'British.' And you are right about that. People in different countries other than your own will always generalize that because they don't live there. At the same time, it's not something to be offended about for being recognized for your accent based on country or region. You can clarify further if you want or if they ask. I have an American accent, all my family in Sweden makes fun of me for it- though I am technically Swedish born.

But no worries, man. It's not that serious when it comes down to it. One Love, dude. One Love haha

 

[Cmwissy]

Snip

The United Kingdom is not a country.
Great Britain is not a country.

the United States they are a combination of territories under one banner

The United states is one country - Made up of states - acceptable to generalize an accent.
Scotland is one country - Made up of Counties - Acceptable to generalize one accent.
Wales is one country - Made up of Counties - Acceptable to generalize one accent.
Ireland is one country - Made up of Counties - Acceptable to generalize one accent.
England is one country - Made up of Counties - Acceptable to generalize one accent.

The United Kingdom (Great Britain) is an alliance made of four countries - Unacceptable to generalize one accent

 

[ArtVSscience]

I have a mild cokney twang sometimes, but mostly just american or BBC sounding.

 

[NoNameMcgee]

Oh, who cares? It doesn't matter. I have a British accent because I'm from Britain; I don't care if people don't know exactly which part I'm from by hearing my voice. How on earth is that supposed to be offensive?

I live in Australia and people just call me English or Pommy. =P and there's no reason I should care about that. If someone asks me which part then I'll tell them, but I don't expect people to know when there's no need for them to.

Geez you people have some strange pet peeves.

 

[Ignignokt]

From the outside, the UK looks like one country. Most people who don't live there will know less about it than you.

And comparing American and Mexican accents doesn't really work since our primary languages aren't even the same.

 

[tishy19]

Though this was very informative, I'm still just marking most of these accents up as 'sexy.'

 

[Loop Stricken]

I wish I was more brummy than I currently am.

Oh Lord, you do not. Not unless you want to be instantly assumed to be an idiot.

 

[Insanum]

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

Maybe not, But with that logic there are no Definative[/I] accents whatsoever, All accents, And even some cows have regional accents.

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;

Step-toe & son & Only Fools & Horses. Comedic maybe, But the class sytem is well shown.

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.

Fair fact, Cant argue with that. Same thing with the frog "ribbit"; There is only one variety of frog that "ribbits" and its found near Hollywood.

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.

I come from up round manchester, And i do the same thing - Example "Barstard (Bastard)or Marster(master)"

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.

Or "Somerrrseeet". I wouldnt say they muble, But they sound rather simple sometimes. Hot Fuzz's farmer guy is a good example of what you meant.

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'

Now bare in mind Britain compared to america or europe is Tiny.

I WILL BE STEREOTYPING FOR THE FOLLOWING ARGUEMENT, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OFFENCE[/B]

If any american starts talking to me, And i can identify the "new Yoik" accent, I would assume they're american, The same if i could identify the "lil 'ol me" Southern Bell accent.

You see, Accents are a funny thing, The can be put on very easily (i myself can do several accents...Much to my friends annoyance), And there is not one nation with only one accent, or language.

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All in all, Interesting angle, if a tad pointless.

Hope ye' enjoyed ze comments.