Why do some Americans go on and on about how they love the British accent?

Question

In the UK there are so many accents, so it sounds really silly to say I love the British accent.

Answer 1

They all sound so similar to some people who aren't use to hearing them all the time. Some folks even get the "British accent" and "Austrailian accent" confused.

I know people who are just as clueless about the many Hispanic accents.

Answer 2

It's no worse than most British people saying they hate "the American accent". You have to understand there's a difference between a person not knowing enough about the particulars of something and actually thinking something doesn't vary in fact.

For example where I'm from in the American South we hear strong differences between the different Southern accents but I don't think a person is silly for saying they like "Southern accents". I completely understand they're just expressing a general view in the same way a person might say they like "Chinese food" but might not like ALL of it or know about the different versions. The main thing that bothers me is when people are either prejudiced based on an accent OR they actually believe in something that is faulty due to bad information. For example a person might say "Southern accents" are non-rhotic when I'd say half or more are (and have always been). All people in the mountains and western parts like Texas sure are. This is like saying Chinese food is all hot and spicy when only some of it is.

Answer 3

From a personal stand point I find that British accents are attractive, and I love Australian or any accents that sounds similar, and I also like the American southern accent. I don't really find Russian, Asian, Spanish, African American, Indian or, Italian, accents that attractive at all.

Answer 4

Generally they refer to the old BBC Broadcast English accent. But really, when you don't hear the different variations every day you can't tell them apart as easily, so they sound quite alike to us non-British. Most can probably only tell English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish apart, not the sub-accents if you will. Additionally, it sounds just as dumb when I hear British people say that they (dis)like the American accent. There are also many accents in the US and Canada.

Answer 5

I'm with you on this one, it's not just the British accent but a lot of different accents that are interesting and intriguing.

Answer 6

I have been to the UK a couple of times and there are lots of variations. When I was in Scotland and Ireland some of their accents were so thick I couldn't understand a word they were saying even though it was English. There are different dialects and vernaculars as with any place.

Answer 7

I don't like the British accent.

Answer 8

You have a good point, there.

I think the accent people most identify as British would be the one they hear on movies, which is probably not very authentic.

Answer 9

very good point indeed...if I hear it again I'll correct them. I personally say I love British accents.

any British accent will knock a young American lady off her feet.

:D

Answer 10

because its so hot!
i find if people come from a forgein place of have some sort of accent it makes them alittle more attractive
simply because ....its different