British accent or American accent?

Question

How come my British teachers always tell me not to spell or pronounce American or other English other than the British accent/ English because British English is the only correct English. But interestingly, other English speaking people tend to think British accent is sexy. What do you think?

Answer 1

English is my second language, I learnt it in the states and then I lived in England, there's no such thing as "correct english", is just a matter of choice... I find several british formalities totally useless and some american slams totally horrible. I'd rather pronounce the letters "T" as birtish english (Example waTer and not waRar like the americans) but I would never say "Ohh I'm thrilled to hear that" as the british may say, I write COLOUR and not COLOR, I find the accent from the south of USA quite pathetic as I find the british from Manchester unspeakable... so it depends. Then you have Scottish and irish english but that's another world!, I actually have a American-British dictionary.

Answer 2

Well, as an English teacher myself, I can tell you one thing. English comes from Britain. But funnily enough, through the years, its American opponent has become more widely known. Now, you can also include Canadian, Australian and many other kinds of English to the list, each with their own, very particular accent and adaptations. Of course, that doesn't mean their not correct. They're just...different. What is commonly taught is a standard version of it, let's say, an unaffected version. The accents, you can acquire by being surrounded by people from a particular place. And it is true...British English tends to sound a little more alluring than the other ones. Why? can't think of a reason for that. Anyway, this same thing happens with languages from cultures which, at some point of history, took other ones over. English, Spanish, French, Portuguese.....therefore the different versions of these languages. (Latin American Spanish, Canadian/African French, Brazilian Portuguese, etc) The liking for the original source, however, doesn't apply for all the other ones, from my point of view and experience. Hope it helps a bit. ...................Oh....one more thing. Which pronounciation/spelling is best for you......that's for you (and only YOU) to decide.

Answer 3

it's very sad to hear a language teacher speak like that...you would think they would know better, wouldn't you?...such remarks only show ignorance...any professional in linguistics would tell you there is no such thing as a "correct" variety of a language...saying so is a completely subjective judgement...maybe your teachers or other people prefer the sound of British English but that is a personal opinion, not an objective linguistic fact...what's important is to be consistent...if you choose to speak American English be consistent with vocabulary, accent and grammar and the same for British English...if they still don't believe you, ask them to read this link of the Oxford University Dictionaries (the most important authority in the English language) an see what they have to tell you:

"Is British English better than the other kinds?
Well, there is no such thing as a homogeneous ‘British English’ which could be considered to be ‘better’ than other varieties! There is a range of regional varieties (southern, northern, Scottish, Northern Irish, west-country, Birmingham, Liverpool, etc.), and registers (used for occasions of differing formality), and there are different forms of British English depending upon the speaker’s educational level, age, and so on. Even ‘standard’ British English—the English of educated people—varies from place to place as a result of regional accents.

There was a time when certain English speakers in (for instance) Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa used British English as their yardstick, and aspired to speak what they believed to be ‘the Queen’s English’. The local accent and vocabulary were looked down upon as being somehow inferior; but this attitude has now largely disappeared, except among some (older) conservative speakers of English. In each English-speaking region there is a ‘standard’ form of English, widely considered to be ‘good English’—but these will of course all differ from ‘standard’ British English, and from each other."

Answer 4

You should choose one accent and stick to it, it will be best for your fluency.

If you are having classes with British teachers, I think using UK English is the best for you.

Answer 5

I think that's a pigheaded attitude. When I was an English teacher, I didn't care if my students spoke/wrote the British or American (or Canadian, or Australian, or whatever) way.

Most Americans are far more tolerant of British pronunciation and spelling than the other way around, though.

Answer 6

Oh so sexy... I can just melt hearing a guy with british accent

Answer 7

I don't find Bristish accent sexy at all.

Answer 8

ur question hurts my head!!! make it a little more clear and i might be able 2 answer it!