When the British accent comes to mind, it sounds very formal. And the American accent sounds extremely plain. So what's your opinion?
2007-03-02 16:18:35 · 24 answers · asked by andy c 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
You are ovegeneralizing. There are many British (and UK) accents (Liverpool, Scouse, Cockney, Highland Scot, BBC), some of them formal sounding and some just downright blue collar as hell.
I, from California, have no accent, while my girlfriend from North Carolina has a beautiful drawl. A person from the Bronx has a "squeal" and one from Chicago is "liquid", "round" and "percussive" sounding. Those from Sooth Dahkoota mis-pronounce their "o's" and those from Detroit pronounce words as if they were from Canada (aboat versus about).
None of these regional U.S. accents suggests anything to me concerning class versus trash, whether when compared to themselves or to the "accent" of The UK.
2007-03-02 17:29:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm an American too but I bet you're a Yankee (more mainstream type American) by your comments. I'm a Southerner and I think most of us sound "plain" too so it all depends on what you're around and get used to growing up. The reason why so many standard speakers think they are plain and even have no accent is because not only do they spend lots of time with people who sound like them but they also hear their accents in the media constantly. The U.S. media is very insular with few regional U.S. accents and even fewer British, Australian, etc. unless you count an occasional showing by what might be called a watered down version of standard British. (I've read they usually have to have it watered down because so many Americans wouldn't otherwise understand it)
Based on what I've seen the average British person is a little more accustomed to hearing a standard type American accent compared to the average American, however they still won't usually think it sounds "plain" since it's still different. If you're just looking for a broad scope of what Britons think about American accents I can give you a pretty good round up that will save you lots of time. Most don't like American accents that much and often judge them to be loud, whiny, nasal, incorrect, robotic, drawling, etc. Some are different, yes, but I've given a quick and dirty summary. The weird thing is some say Americans talk too fast while others too slow but most of the rest is prettty consistent with LOUD and nasal probably leading the pack. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. Most REAL British people don't sound or act very formal at all. Well, not unless you think- Du ur olds knw whr U r o wot ur doin coz D bil wil tel em is proper English.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/4663990.stm
2007-03-03 05:51:49 · answer #2 · answered by Savalatte 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
American refers to people of the United States, as much as SOME people would like you to believe; however, in answer to your question, generally yes, the British accent sounds more formal than most of our American accents; with some exceptions. Cockney certainly doesn't sound very formal, nor does the Liverpool accent.
Within the USA, some accents are so strong that they are difficult to understand by others, also! New York, Bronx versus Los Angeles is quite different. The attitudes and humor are also sometimes different and amusing.
2007-03-02 18:16:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What American accent? America is such a diverse nation, Americans may come from anywhere in the world. There are many accents, all are American. Those with a hint of Asian or Spanish or European or African or any mixture of them. It is all American.
2007-03-02 17:00:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The American accent doesn't sound like anything to me. It sounds like normal English.
2007-03-02 16:21:47 · answer #5 · answered by Taivo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are loads of different accents both in britain and the us, and a lot of british accents don't sounds formal at all!!
but as far as i'm concerned brits have nicer accents than americans (except brummies!) lol
2007-03-03 00:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by misspimousse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some american accents are loud,slighly grating,New York sounds better than other parts..We all speak like BBC news readers over here,very formal...
2007-03-02 17:12:27 · answer #7 · answered by yaboo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the American accent is kind of me.
2007-03-02 16:45:03 · answer #8 · answered by HeY wAts uPp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHICH American accent? The Northern one? The New England one? The Southern one? Or the "Valley girl" one?
2007-03-04 07:28:42 · answer #9 · answered by ღღღ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What American accent? North American, south american??
2007-03-02 16:21:22 · answer #10 · answered by Rational01 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋