American Accents?

Question

This morning I was talking to an American woman. And when she first spoke to me I thought just for a slight second that she was Irish. I have noticed this with some of the American accents that they have a slight Irish dialect about them.
Is this me or is it some part of the American culture-or am I imagining this (I hope not)
Any answers appreciated

Answer 1

Scots-Irish settled in the mid-Atlantic area and throughout Appalachia and traditional speech of this area (specific terms and accent) is distinctive with similarities to an Irish accent. Certain communities from these primary areas settled in other parts of the United States also. For example, alot of Scots-Irish settled in Southern Oregon in the late 1800's and the communities remained relatively isolated until WWII. So, even here in Oregon we can sometimes hear older people use certain words or pronunciation that are similar to Irish. It is an interesting question and I remember a colleague from Norway asking the same question a few years ago. But, it seems to me that these speech patterns have pretty much died out so you are pretty lucky to have met some "living history."

Answer 2

There was a great deal of Irish imigrants into America at one point. There is Irish celebrations in some states which have a high proportion if Irish decent people. So I suppose she could have had Irish decent or the area she belongs to has a strong Irish influence on the American dialect/accent.

Answer 3

There is no single American Accent. We have numerous accents, Southern, New England, New York, West, California. And when you add to it that there is not just one ancestral origin of Americans, you really get a mix of accents.

The American woman you mention must have some Irish influence in her life. The South of Boston is one such place, and there are Irish sections in almost every city in America.

Answer 4

I think some of the American dialects definately sound Irish. Or at least Irish-based. By the way, sometimes I find it hard to tell if the speaker on the phone is Australian or a Cockney, so I know it is not just you. We need to listen more. A brief conversation is not very revealing.

Answer 5

maybe she was irish american. A lot of irish emigrate to america every year and develop a hybrid accent. I know irish that have moved to england and speak in the most pronounced english accent after only 3 years of living there.

Answer 6

Tis true the Irish Brogue lingers on especially many who called Boston Home and other places throughout the North East. America is home to a wide mix of accents from sea tp shining sea. Top of the Day To You wee Lassie or Lad.

Answer 7

Agreed. Many Ney York and surrounding areas can have a certain Irish tone to their voices, and the syntax they favour - "I seen the two o' yous goin' in the back there." That's a sentence spoken by a New York cop - it could equally have come from anywhere in Ireland. There are so many Irish descendants over there in the States.

Answer 8

Some areas are ethnically very heavy in Irish culture. Boston, Massachusetts would be one. My husband is from England and he says for the most part New Englanders sound most like people from the UK.

Answer 9

Being 100% Irish myself I will arrogantly say once Irish always Irish u cant get rid of us!!ya she had probably recently moved over ppl pick up the Americcan accent so easily because of how often you hear it on tv etc.

Answer 10

Well she could have Irish parents. Or live in an area with a big Irish communitiy.

Personally I find the Southern accent very sexy. ;-) Georgia etc