What do British people think of 'American' accents?

Question

I mean as in a midwestern, "standard" 'american' accent? What about 'southern'? Or any other regional 'american accent? ~curious

Answer 1

When I was in San Fran for a couple of weeks I was complimented many times on my straight normal clear english... most thought I was public school (please no! ), american accents?- so long as it doesn't drawl along, isn't high pitched and full of gee's and all that. But then, to be perfectly honest, it depends who's doing the talking- if it's a coming out of a walking plant pot american tourist in full bloom anything would be annoying. From an american girl?- it just makes me smile- am lovin' it!

Answer 2

I think most British people neither like nor dislike a midwest accent. It's easy for us to understand, because we get a lot of exposure to it. Personally I wouldn't react to it any differently than any mild British regional accent.

Southern accents are a little different - some can be charming, but they are more difficult to get used to, and some can be annoying or hard to understand. And they can also have the same connotations they would have to a non-southerner in the US, ie redneck, etc.

I don't mind a New England accent - it can sound closer to an English accent sometimes. A New Jersey accent can be annoying, but is usually comical :-)

Answer 3

I love all the American accents. When they say things it just sounds better. If you say something with an American accent then hear it in English) sorry country) it sounds so much better in the american accent.

Answer 4

There are so many accents to appreciate in America and I always like hearing them develop as you move about the States. It was cool when we stayed in Virginia because a lot of people had very different accents and it depended on your class and colour.

Answer 5

There s no such element as a British accent. Britain is made from 4 international places: Scotland, England, Northern eire and Wales yet when I had to respond to, i ought to assert the southern English accent

Answer 6

Depends upon the accent, but most of the accents make me cringe and even more so the way the language is used. The worst is the one used by all country singers and fans.

Answer 7

Some are really annoying, and others are interesting and funny, I think its because Americans tend to talk at a little higher pitch than the British. I can't specify which if funny and which is annoying because I haven't toured America, But I do like the dialogue you use in the south it seems very polite and welcoming.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, when I hear an American accent I have to leave the room, it's SO annoying. And that goes for all American accents, north, south, east, west.

Answer 9

I don't mind American accents at all, could easily sit and listen to someone with one all day.

Answer 10

my Husband was born in new york but brought up in North carolina hes been in the UK for the past 6 years I and most of the people we know like his accent