why is it that when american actors/actresses play english people, they are always portrayed as either really posh and speaking the queen's english, a cockney or an uneducated farmer?we are not all like that, and its not fair!!!
2007-09-30 01:55:19 · 16 answers · asked by Beccabelle 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Lol, Marry Poppins. I don't think that's the reason for it.
The thing is, we know the most about British culture through either music or literature, but mostly literature.
In Shakespeare's works, the characters are mostly aristocrats who speak in pretentious verse. Oscar Wilde, too, deals with aristocrats. Wuthering Heights deals with class issues, and the divide between the poor and nameless and the rich from distinguished families. Then there's Jane Austen, a brilliant woman who wrote parlor comedies and thus dealt mostly with the rich.
In music, well, the first British band that comes to my mind (and probably to the minds of many) is the Beatles. Think about it; they were just 4 kids from Liverpool, a somewhat poor town, that made it big. So, there's that stereotype too.
2007-09-30 02:14:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I blame Mary Poppins. That film was full of people who spoke like Julie Andrews (dead posh Queen's English), and Dick Van Dyke doing a very poor imitation of a Cockney..... so all Americans think tht there are only two ways to speak if you're English.....
Shame really.
2007-09-30 09:00:27 · answer #2 · answered by dukeofspace 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No its not fair, but the real reason is that the actors, directors and producers have such a shallow and narrow view, they are under the impression they are always correct.
The issue is that they underestimate the audience, and that shows a lack of respect to you and I as individuals not just as English people.
This just shows the efforts they make - their focus is on the money - its just a money making racket.
2007-09-30 09:10:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that is because those are the accents that are best copied. Such as the American Southern accent is best copied by the English. We are not all southern. I take no offense and I am an American. I am not Southern. I am a Mid-Westerner,(Middle American States) we sound more like Most English speaking Canadians.
2007-09-30 09:14:12 · answer #4 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Everybody Pre-judges..Its Not nice But ts Human Nature!
Dont Beluiev Everthing You Watch On TV Lol
2007-09-30 09:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by ExpressYOURSELF! :) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fair won't sell the price to watch a Hollywood film. Fair is not an economic consideration until Hollywood purse strings are subject of issue. Bollywood is no better.
2007-09-30 19:49:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone tends to stereotype everyone - you know the type of thing 'There was an English man, Irish man and Scotsman...' (The poor Welsh seem to be left out.)
The funniest thing for stereotype is a strong accent, backwards attitude - so hardworking, generous, well spoken people aren't shown unless they gamble or something that gives them character preferably to make most people feel superior.
2007-09-30 10:54:21 · answer #7 · answered by Grinning Football plinny younger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's why I like frasier, they have their Mancunian home help.
But other than that the Americans usually portray us as darkly sinister posh people.
BTW farmers aren't uneducated!
2007-09-30 16:39:32 · answer #8 · answered by Orphelia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well basically it's be you are, thing is not many speak the queens English anymore. Infact not sure if any of you even know who the bloody Queen is!!
2007-09-30 18:26:30 · answer #9 · answered by Vade B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are so right that isnt fair. even british actors in american movies put on a strong british posh accent its annoying
2007-09-30 08:59:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋