Why do Americans think English People all speak like the Queen?

Answer 1

I was told by an American only a few days ago the answer to this. Its very much like us listening to Chinese speaking Cantonese we can't tell the difference between them and yet they have very different accents, the Americans hear us in the same way, we all sound the same! Sad really.

Answer 2

I'm English and some of the Americans I know seem to like the English accent. I think typically (I'm refering to the Americans I have met in person) American's have a stereotypical image of England and equate the accent with a picturesque image of England which they find quite charming.

An image of England as a rural, green and pleasant land, playing cricket on the village green, quaint churches, tea served with cuecumber sandwiches and of course royalty, changing of the guard and all that that entails.

Obviously England isn't all like that, although some of it still is! It's a nice place and American's seem to have a fascination with the place. Afterall we may be a small island but the two countries have a special relationship, we both had a lot to do with eachothers history!

I'm obviously generalising as people the world over are all different, America is the only place I've been where anyone has actually described my accent as "awesome" and "sounding like John Lennon", personally I see it as a compliment and I'm glad people have accents and regional and national variations.

Answer 3

Probably for the same reason English people think I am an American, even though I live in Canada. It's hard for many people to distingush between different regional accents.

Also, let's keep in mind that most Americans have never been to England (or any part of the UK) or even know an English person or family.

There is probably only one medium from the UK that Americans have heard, which is British television (imo, much better than American TV in most cases). Many Americans have access to BBC America, as well as films and programmes on DVD.

Answer 4

Some people are ignorant and think all British speak like that, and I'm british and no we DON'T speak like the queen we just have an accent. I have been in America for about 7 years and English people i know dont speak like the queen.

Answer 5

Most Americans haven't been to England, therefore their only experience with English people is TV. On TV most English people speak like the queen.

Answer 6

Bloody Brits and their.. Brit-talk.

Besides, Americans don't think English people talk like the Queen, because Americans haven't met the Queen. Americans think English people talk like English people, generally, because they do.

Answer 7

I don't think that. I think English people speak with an accent, not like the Queen.

Answer 8

"Speak the Queen's English" is a phrase that really says "either speak clear English, or shut up!!" Chill: people don't think England's Queen Elizabeth speaks differently than anyone else--she just does it with class and dignity.

Answer 9

Don't know. I'm English &, coming from 'up North', don't sound anything like the Queen so most Americans I meet think I'm Australian

Answer 10

It's called the Queen's english because it is more properly spoken then "American" Yes, American is a language.....with all the slang we have here. And the British are very reverent of their Queen, and so give her 'possesion' of the language of the country.

Answer 11

I have absolutely no idea; Whenever I have been to the States I have been accused of being Australian.
It probably stems from the usual "Americanitis"...As a nation they seldom travel outside of their own national boundaries and rely on the TV a primary source of education. Oxford English is that which is normally used to portray characters in film....One noteable exception is Daphne in "Frasier"...
I suggest that you expand your cultural horizons, a Mexican doesn't speak Spanish with the same accent as a native Spaniard....
If you pay attention and listen to people it is normally very easy to comprehend what they are saying.