has anyone seen Austin powers Goldmember? Austin and his Dad speak in something called english english in a particular scene, do all Britons speak like that? please help as I am going to the UK this year and think that I wont be able to understand them I have also been to the US and it was'nt a problem for me to understand or even speak as fluently
2006-09-17 20:44:19 · 8 answers · asked by paul van dyk 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The guy that just called you a moron is closer to it than I'd say you are - the people of Britain don't speak the same language even though many are keen to call it English. There are so many dialects over there that even the English cannot understand one another. Your fears are indeed very well founded.
Just don't be afraid to show that you don't understand a person and if that person fails to make himself or herself understood then simply walk away. Once you leave London you might as well be in Babylon. From Bournemouth to Tyne side, from Doncaster to Mersey side, from Cardiff to Clyde they don't understand each other. On wonder they say the only problem with Britain is the British.
2006-09-17 21:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by brian s 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They speak a form of English, but with an accent. Which is funny because Mike Meyers is Canadian. Every country has regions that have different accents, not just English. People from the southern parts of the US are said to have a *southern drawl*. People from the northeastern part of the US (the New England states) have a particular accent as well. There are several accents found in England as well. Some are said to speak *the Queen's English*, meaning very proper, and there are some that have a *Cockney* accent.
2006-09-17 21:03:25 · answer #2 · answered by angelfmlj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are very many varied accents throughout the British Isles.
From Cockney to Scouse to Brummie to Scots.
Even in Scotland there are many different accents, from the harsh Glaswegian to the sing-songy Isles to the Doric of the North-east (which is a different language in itself)
Just ask the person to speak slower if you don't understand them
And don't be at all surprised if they SHOUT. This is a classic British thing to do to foreiners who are having difficulty understanding accents. If they don't understand the first time, just SAY IT LOUDER.
Don't worry about it. Just enjoy!!
2006-09-17 21:13:38 · answer #3 · answered by Patchouli Pammy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's all English you moron. And stop believing everything you hear on TV. Just focus on if you cannot understand a certain word like "lew" (bathroom) or "f-a-g" (cigarette), then just ask them. They all speak 90 percent of our English with a twang and some different slang.
2006-09-17 20:48:22 · answer #4 · answered by careercollegestudent69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be afraid. Most people will try to accomodate you, if they realise you are a foreigner.
Most accents are easier to understand after a few days "hearing in" time, anyway.
2006-09-18 01:25:10 · answer #5 · answered by haggesitze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mike Myers is a Canadian comedian. He does funny accents to be funny.
2006-09-17 21:03:48 · answer #6 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol... yes most of them do speak that funny accent, but don't worry they will understand you and your ear will get used to the brittish accent too....:)
2006-09-17 20:47:16 · answer #7 · answered by VeronicaB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no! most ppl in uk are using US Engilish now!
2006-09-17 20:58:25 · answer #8 · answered by Magnificent 7 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋