I am american living in London. Should I learn to speak the queen's pronunciation? :)?

Question

Why not british people change their pronunciation and adopt the american one. It's better :)

Answer 1

And the language,as well?

No, it is usually better to be yourself, and speak as you do.

If you sound English, but use words with an American meaning, you are only going to confuse people, and may unintentionally cause offence.

If you stay in a foreign country for a long while, your speech and pronunciation is going to change anyway.

Answer 2

I change from British English to American English, most of the time! As well as changing my spelling on certain words! When I came to the States I said I was not changing my accent or how I spoke for anyone! My husband told me to 'fit in' I should try and say things the American way!

After a few years most people I know now know quite a few British terms! But on the whole my pronunciation of words has changed, it is more American.

Answer 3

I shouldn't give it a thought - English isn't spoken here anymore. There is 'street speak' ; 'yob speak' ; 'estuary speak' ; TV presenter speak'; 'weather presenter speak' [they interject with ERR and UMM every other word - which we were trained not to do as that was once regarded as bad public speaking skills]

The Queen - poor soul was brought up in a cocoon and I guess her parents were too. HM doesn't speak with such affectation these days - her speech is much more rounded and realistic. However, there are a bunch of people in London who speak something called 'Mayfair' and that is pure affectation and really awful to listen too! Ya, Ya, etc etc. Just stay as you are.

By the way I don't think we should change our dialects to an American dialect as we would understand each other even less! I wonder which American dialect you were thinking of us adopting? Mid West would be fun!!

Answer 4

We used to speak like that 300 years ago (or at least our peasants did). That's where you got it from - we've grown out of it.

London has a mixture of English forms from all over the world. If you would like to sound less American (for American read target) learn to avoid pronouncing the letter R when it follows a vowel. In Home Counties English, it's a vowel modifier, so "bar" and "bah" and "baa" are all pronounced the same. Also remember we say "forgotten" but never "gotten".

Answer 5

hi! i'm a chinese language and that i've got been getting to grasp English because of the fact the 2nd language for over ten years. I consistently preparation and strengthen my English pronounciation via here techniques: staring at video clips with unique English voice; in seek of opportunities to talk with community audio gadget; listening to English information or different programmes on radio; beginning your mouth to talk as much as conceivable; don't be shy, taking area in dropping face.

Answer 6

As you just found out criticising other peoples accents doesn't earn you any friends. The accent carries a lot of other information about your culture and origins so stick to your natural twang.

Have you heard us doing American accents? Lets all stick to what we know, even Brummies.

Answer 7

dont try it, you'll end up sounding like dick van dyck in mary poppins!

And i'd never change to an american accent - as a guy going to america with a english accent - i have a lot of fun ;)

Answer 8

As an old 'Brit' may I say how much I like the American accents, well most of them. Stick with it buddie.

Answer 9

You should definitely learn to speak English. Your 2nd sentence is almost illiterate. Your first one is also incorrect. You are shaming all of us Americans and speaking like an illegal alien. Your sentence structure is certainly more "Spanish" than "English".

Could it be?

I DID work in London. I think Americans who attempt to cultivate an English accent come across as pretentious unless they are actors. The English accents (there are more than one) are charming...on the English. On anyone else, it's fake.

Answer 10

I love the British accent. Accents are beautiful and make each country unique and wonderful.