Whenever i talk to Americans!!?

Question

whenever i speak with americans, they allways put on such a false accent. its like...erm...trans-atlantian, almost like they are trying to mimic my British (cheshire) accent, but failing horridly...

AND! they allways go on to me about how lovely the US is and how much cheaper everything is over there...but they are living in the UK? madness! me thinks so...

i might just be meeting shitty americans, who r in the UK cos they were rejected from the states lol -- any light on this matter?

x

to answer - pat from ohio

UK singers dont lose their accents, we r just taught to sing accentless. however there are many UK singers who sing with a thick local accent. Lilly allen for one ^^

Im not angry that i am mimiced, i jst get awkward about it, cos it puts me off >< kinda feel as if they r taking the piss hahaha

Answer 1

I'm an American Military wife living in Italy where were stationed, and we often vacation in the UK. It's a beautiful country. But I have never tried to imitate a British accent, and I've never came across other Americans there that do it. Perhaps the ones that you've encountered simply think you have a nice accent and would also like to sound like you. That's not such a horrible thing!
As far as cost...It's true! It is a lot more expensive to live in the UK, just like it's a lot more expensive to live in Italy then it is to live in the States. That's not an insult, it's a fact! Believe me, if the Military didn't pay us what they pay us for being stationed over here, we could never make it! I would imagine the Americans you encounter probably have good jobs in the UK and that's why they're living there.

Answer 2

You are meeting shitty Americans brother. I would never put on a fake accent. Mine is just fine. (New England accent). That is just pretentious. Have you been hanging out with Madonna?

I have never been to the UK so I will not try to compare. However I will tell you that everything is not cheaper over here. Or is it better. I believe everyplace has it good points and bad points. I love America and am very happy I was born here. Let's just leave it at that.

Later!

Answer 3

So, you need to go to NYC, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts, especially parts of Boston, right? Yeah, there are people with that affected kind of talk you described in these places, but if you hang out in Bay Ridge, Far Rockaway, Canarsie, in Brooklyn, or go to the Bronx, or Chelsea, Boston, South Boston or actually in any town throughout the United States and well into Canada, people will not talk the way you described. Most Southies from Boston would rather be slowly tortured and killed before they'd loose their accent, see. Pride, it's all about where you're from.

Answer 4

Sometimes when people hear an accent they like, or even a way someone speaks, they will mimic it, not intentionally a lot of the time. People do this with body language as well.
Fun experiment: If you think someone likes you, subtly fold your arms, or cross your legs, lean against something, watch...they will copy you. You should take this as a compliment.
And then the whole talkin about how cheap things are...people get A LOT more patriotic when they leave their home country. Really.

Answer 5

Some people actually take on the accent of the people theyre around the most. Its weird. Im a valley and when I speak to someone with a heavy southern accent, I somehow develop a weird twang.lol

Answer 6

Accents are one of those things you just pick up. I'm from New England, but I picked up a lot of Southernisms when I was in the Army. For example, I picked up saying y'all. I noticed my brother picked up a slight English accent after living in Manchester, UK for a year. It's not putting on airs, I'm certain that many of them don't know they are doing it.

Things ARE generally cheaper in the US, although we end up paying more because we don't have universal health care and other social programs. They are probably living there because there are other benefits to living there.

Answer 7

If that's true - and I believe it - I think it's becasue Americans really wish they could speak with such an accent. Over here, we love Hugh Grant, Jean-Luc Picard, Hugh Jackman...becasue we like to listen to them talk!
I would bet that speaking in that matter would help us get laid, so it would be no wonder that we would mimic or attempt to mimic your cheshire accent. Madness!

Cheers

Answer 8

Imitation is a form of flattery, This American loves a British Accent, maybe its a compliment to you!
Things cheaper over here, I doubt it, and as for beauty its in the eye of the beholder. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Depends on where they're from. (jk.) Maybe they're there because of work and they're homesick. Can't help you with the accent though mate, whenever I do a play I put on a semi-european accent and a lot of my friends do that too. I don't know why.

Answer 10

there are some of us who have an innate ability to mimic accents. there was a time years ago when the hotel i worked at had a group of Aussie's in house. i got to talking to them and i started getting dirty looks from them. it turns out they thought i was mimicking them on purpose, when in fact i pick up most accents quickly, and rather unknowingly. one of the few exceptions was with my jamaican girlfriend. i couldnt mimic her accent at all. i have done it with southerners, british, german, mexican, and even a few asian accents as well. besides, remember where the colonies came from.