The British Accent - A lesson on ignorance.

[E-Z]

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 ;-)

Oooh, I'm also Bristolian ;o

I have a slightly posher accent in comparison to my cousins in London, and they always comment on it. However, I've noticed recently that I've been saying a few words like a farmer would, which is irritating. "Water" being the most distinctive, I say it as "War-er" or something like that.

I actually kinda like the Scouse accent, just sounds fun

 

[Kinguendo]

Yeah, all very true and well written - but Americans always notice The "BRITISH" accent over our "REGIONAL BRITISH" accent. I'm from the Midlands, we visited DC, everyone knew we were British.

Hell, there's a difference between Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and Birmingham. All within 20 miles of each other (roughly).

It really doesnt matter, I know you are "angry" about it but it happens to everyone on the planet. Britain isnt special and shouldnt be held to a higher standard by the international community.

This isn't making Britain "special", it's bringing people who ought to know up to date. Most of us know the grave insult of calling a Canadian American, or a Japanese man Chinese; but if someone happens to say to an Irishman "What part of England do you come from?" (Or worse "What part of London"?) they then get surprised when they get battered.

America's accents spread across their states, Britain's across their shires; but although our shires are a LOT smaller - the UK has 70 "states", and some of them even have accent variations within them.

And btw, here's those three apostrophes you missed. '''

I dont use apostrophes on the internet, it only slows me down.

Trying to make sure eveyone is aware of exactly which part of the United Kingdom you are from is attempting to make people treat us differently than they would other countries... hell, even other continents. So yes, it is attempting to make Britain "special". And certainly an unfair request to boot.

 

[Mstrswrd]

So... what? You're just saying that the British have multiple accents, just like every other nation in the world. Example: Ask a New Yorker what they think of a southerners accent, ask a Japanese person what they think of a Kansei (SP?) Dialect, ask a Northern Irishman what they think of a southern Irishman's accent (according to my RA, they are different), etc.

Really, we knew this already. Though I am suprised that a 2 hour drive means drastically different accents. Where I am, it takes at least a 4 hour drive while speeding for most of it(no, really, I'm serious).

 

[Kinguendo]

France, Germany, Spain and Italy

Also, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are painfully similar in comparison to the countries you mentioned.

Oh, now that's just fighting talk!

Not to mention woefully wrong as they don't even have the same language roots.

No it isnt. No one mentioned the specifics of the similarities of both sets of 4 countries, so to say I am wrong because of language roots is an assumption on your part.

And what do "assumption"s do? They make an "ass" out of "u" and "mption"... and I am sure Mption is going to be pissed when he finds out that you made an ass out of him.

They are similar, governed by the same Government, same first language, live in the UK. The same cant be said for the other 4.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

Well, thank you.

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

A Belfast accent is very different to a Cork accent.

Cork has an accent? I thought it was mostly just "pop"

 

[Cmwissy]

The United Kingdom is technically not a country

Correct.

but it's the representative for the United Kingdom who sits in the UN, the United Kingdom has only one military, and the laws of the UK Parliament are sovereign within its borders.

Also correct.

Scotland's, Wales' and Northern Ireland's governments, while certainly a callback to their time as sovereign nations are comparable to the various state governments of the United States.

Incorrect - That's why ones called a state and the others called a Sovereign state

For all practical purposes, the only sense in which these places are still separate "countries" is in fact culturally and in their various accents.

You could say the same for Every country on earth - why is the US and Canada don't team up?

Why is it that America and the middle-east don't team up? - Cultural differences.

Now, as for your complaint--an American would usually be able to distinguish between Irish and Scottish.

I can do the same with Canadian and American - and you know what I call Canadian and American accents? - Canadian and American.

Everything else we would call either English or British or Islander or whatever. That is to say, we would have no idea what part of the UK you came from

Then don't try - whatever happened to the phrase 'Where you from?'; Most Scotsman and Irishmen hate being called British - and you'll only get a curbstomp out of them for trying.

but we would know you came from there--and that's the whole point. If you hear a surfer dude and a man from Brooklyn you tag them both as having American accents

I do the same thing with people from Manchester and London - Although I don't do the same thing with the Mexican and the Spanish - Because they're from different countries

despite the thousands of miles, vast differences in culture and sometimes extreme variation in the law governing these two. And that's the whole point! You would be right, because there's no real need to distinguish between them

I'm calling Every American I see from now on a Middle eastern! because there's no real need to distinguish between them !

because despite the states being separate political entities, they all fall under the same supranational government and constitution.

Then, why don't Americans fiddle with the law and Merge with Canada - Because cultural differences and dislikes...

And guess what? You live on the island of Great Britain, so it works well enough calling your accent British

You live on the same land as Canada - you're Canadian - Makes perfect sense - your accent is Canadian!

 

[ultracheeser]

Do English people say "eh wot"?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

They are similar, ruled by the same Government, same first language, live in the UK. The same cant be said for the other 4.

Seriously, until you're at least willing to look up this information, please slow down. You might even find some apostrophes on the way. Or at least some basic facts like the Scots language, the Scottish Parliament, the Picts, the Celtic language, or anything else you've glossed over.

 

[Cmwissy]

So... what? You're just saying that the British have multiple accents, just like every other nation in the world

Britain is four countries though ; Any other places like that?

Example: Ask a New Yorker what they think of a southerners accent, ask a Japanese person what they think of a Kansei (SP?) Dialect, ask a Northern Irishman what they think of a southern Irishman's accent (according to my RA, they are different), etc.

All of these places are in one country....

Perhaps if you asked a New yorker what he though of a Cornish accent - you would be more correct.

Do English people say "eh wot"?

Yes.

 

[nativebelle]

I don't think you can blame people for having limited views of accents. Plus it's hella amusing, I've got a geordie/mackem accent and was once asked where in Ireland I was from.

It's not worth getting worked up about.

 

[Kinguendo]

They are similar, ruled by the same Government, same first language, live in the UK. The same cant be said for the other 4.

Seriously, until you're at least willing to look up this information, please slow down. You might even find some apostrophes on the way. Or at least some basic facts like the Scots language, the Scottish Parliament, the Picts, the Celtic language, or anything else you've glossed over.

Dont make me /facepalm at you.

I have already stated why I dont use apostrophes so pleas,e read what I write. Also dont be foolish, every country that makes up the United Kingdom speaks English as their official language.

I know of gaelic and so on and so forth, that doesnt diminish my point, simply because they have a language of their own doesnt mean it is their official language.

 

[Fizzi]

Here's where the Issue is for me.

I don't mind being called British, what I object to is people distinguishing the various accents as (Irish, Welsh, Scottish and British)

This is very common, I just think that British has become the accepted term for the English accents whilst people will still identify Scottish/Irish/Welsh as seperate accents.

I'd rather you took a stab at English and to be corrected as "I'm scottish" or vice versa, but It would be nice for people to identify English as a country with it's own accents, rather than see GB as containing Britain, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

 

[Cmwissy]

I know of gaelic and so on and so forth, that doesnt diminish my point.

It does kind prove the point that these countries have separate culture....

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I know of gaelic and so on and so forth, that doesnt diminish my point, simply because they have a language of their own doesnt mean it is their official language.

Neither does America. That means that America is English by your definition.

 

[Mstrswrd]

So... what? You're just saying that the British have multiple accents, just like every other nation in the world

Britain is four countries though ; Any other places like that?

Example: Ask a New Yorker what they think of a southerners accent, ask a Japanese person what they think of a Kansei (SP?) Dialect, ask a Northern Irishman what they think of a southern Irishman's accent (according to my RA, they are different), etc.

All of these places are in one country....

Perhaps if you asked a New yorker what he though of a Cornish accent - you would be more correct.

Do English people say "eh wot"?

Yes.

I was just trying to make a point. Britain is four countries, but one nation. The U.S. is essentially 50 small countries bound together by common law, making it into one country and nation.

What I was trying to say was that in the place that is one country, we have multiple accents, yet people still say "U.S. accent," as if there was only one. Yes, we say it about Britain as well, but the misconception goes both ways.

Also, I realized that my first post was a bit on the rude side, so I apologize the rudeness. I also apologize for any rudeness in this newer post.

 

[wooty]

Also, I hate the geordie accent with a passion.

I detest the Scouse accent. Try and listen to Gerrard of Carragher speak, I want to rip my ears off.

AY! Watch it mate or i'll fucccccckkkkkkin ave you!

Theres 2 levels of scouse, theres the stereoptype scally accent and the normal style accent. Im fortunate to be graced with he normal one, happy days all round

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I was just trying to make a point. Britain is four countries, but one nation. The U.S. is essentially 50 small countries bound together by common law, making it into one country and nation.

But America is still 50+ states under one Government isn't it? What you can apply to states you can apply to shires as well.

Now if the other states hated Washington, or Texas; but all real power flowed through there, then you'd be closer to the setup.

 

[Kinguendo]

I know of gaelic and so on and so forth, that doesnt diminish my point, simply because they have a language of their own doesnt mean it is their official language.

Neither does America. That means that America is English by your definition.

No that means the Americans (USA) SPEAK English by my definition... you should really concentrate on what we have been talking about.

 

[Cmwissy]

I was just trying to make a point. Britain is four countries, but one nation.

Correct.

The U.S. is essentially 50 small countries

But not really....It's a state, Illinois is hardly a country in relation to Scotland, Mexico, Uganda, etc....

What I was trying to say was that in the place that is one country, we have multiple accents, yet people still say "U.S. accent,"

Britain isn't one country

I have no problem with accent generalization within a country; but to call the Canadian accent American just because they're close still doesn't make it right - and is still incredibly rude.

I dare you to go up to a Scotsman and say he has an English or British accent.

Also, I realized that my first post was a bit on the rude side, so I apologize the rudeness. I also apologize for any rudeness in this newer post.

Same here - been a long day.

 

[Kinguendo]

I know of gaelic and so on and so forth, that doesnt diminish my point, simply because they have a language of their own doesnt mean it is their official language.

Neither does America. That means that America is English by your definition.

Language isnt culture, they are seperate things. Sure it CAN influence your culture but as I said... The official language of these countries is English.