Losing Accent
Jun 28th 2008, 11:59 am
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Chinchilla
Posts: 255
Re: Losing Accent
My two kids have got the Aussie twang now, we have been here over 2 and a half years. The youngest who was 6 when we arrived picked it up really quickly and the eldest who was 13 soon followed. They both have varying ranges of twang, and it is hiliarious to listen to the both taking on the phone, they go from a mix of Geordie/Aussie to 100% Aussie twang.
I think that me and hubby sound pretty much the same, maybe the geordie accent has been toned down a bit as we have had to adjust so that people can understand what we are saying.
I worked with someone who kept saying holey dooley and I found it a real worry that if she kept saying it all the time, that i might pick it up and start saying it myself.
Julia
I think that me and hubby sound pretty much the same, maybe the geordie accent has been toned down a bit as we have had to adjust so that people can understand what we are saying.
I worked with someone who kept saying holey dooley and I found it a real worry that if she kept saying it all the time, that i might pick it up and start saying it myself.
Julia
Jun 28th 2008, 11:27 pm
#47
Banned
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Angle vale Sth Australia
Posts: 5,353
Re: Losing Accent
My accent is a mish mash, one of the guys at work picked up on my Westcountry 'twang' immediately.
Someone said to me that the Southern accent is a 'blank canvas' for picking up accents.
I have spoken to Brits at work who proudly claim that they have not picked up an Aussie accent and anyone that has is putting it on. They were quite dismayed when I told them that to me, they had a slight Aussie accent.
You might not think that you have changed but as someone said, others will pick up on the fact that you have - no matter how small that change.
We have a girl from Liverpool working in our office and she has an Aussie twang to her accent yet when she is pissed, her original accent comes back stronger than ever.
I was making a video diary for my Dad last week and when I played it back, I noticed myself sounding slightly Aussie in certain words. But what is really funny is that my Devonshire accent is still quite prominent when I say certain things - especially when I get together with one of my BE friends - Streaks
My Dad said I sound a bit different although to me, I think I sound the same. And even more strange, Mr PP who has his own accent of course with his broken English, is picking up this accent far more than he ever did in England.
In my department, I work with Aussies and the same for Mr PP - so I guess we might pick it up more, who knows?
I am fiercely proud of my accent and don't realise that it may be changing - my job involves alot of telephone work and the people that I communicate with are Australian so a large part of my job involves listening to a strong accent.
Oh yes, learning the new words is fun - I never knew that a toilet is sometimes referred to as a 'thunderbox' and I so love the word 'bashing' instead of 'assault'.
Someone said to me that the Southern accent is a 'blank canvas' for picking up accents.
I have spoken to Brits at work who proudly claim that they have not picked up an Aussie accent and anyone that has is putting it on. They were quite dismayed when I told them that to me, they had a slight Aussie accent.
You might not think that you have changed but as someone said, others will pick up on the fact that you have - no matter how small that change.
We have a girl from Liverpool working in our office and she has an Aussie twang to her accent yet when she is pissed, her original accent comes back stronger than ever.
I was making a video diary for my Dad last week and when I played it back, I noticed myself sounding slightly Aussie in certain words. But what is really funny is that my Devonshire accent is still quite prominent when I say certain things - especially when I get together with one of my BE friends - Streaks
My Dad said I sound a bit different although to me, I think I sound the same. And even more strange, Mr PP who has his own accent of course with his broken English, is picking up this accent far more than he ever did in England.
In my department, I work with Aussies and the same for Mr PP - so I guess we might pick it up more, who knows?
I am fiercely proud of my accent and don't realise that it may be changing - my job involves alot of telephone work and the people that I communicate with are Australian so a large part of my job involves listening to a strong accent.
Oh yes, learning the new words is fun - I never knew that a toilet is sometimes referred to as a 'thunderbox' and I so love the word 'bashing' instead of 'assault'.
mm
Jun 29th 2008, 1:12 am
#48
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,187
Re: Losing Accent
Been in Oz for 6 mths and I have picked up various Kiwi sayings and some words come out with a Kiwi twang, 
All my new mates are Kiwi and there are alot of them on the GC.
My oh and son find it really funny, maybe I should have emigrated to NZ
All my new mates are Kiwi and there are alot of them on the GC. My oh and son find it really funny, maybe I should have emigrated to NZ
Jun 29th 2008, 4:14 am
#49
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: Losing Accent
Mine went years ago but then, being a South Easterner it wasnt really very strong in the first place (IMHO) and there wasnt much of a drift necessary. I am not broad strine though, I absolutely refuse to engage in rising terminals although my (Suffolk) MIL and at least one of my BILs use them all the flaming time (drives me nuts).
DS has been in UK for 6 years now and sounds very RP but I suppose he has to in the environment he works in - the intonation and occasional English phrase are sometimes really obvious.
DS has been in UK for 6 years now and sounds very RP but I suppose he has to in the environment he works in - the intonation and occasional English phrase are sometimes really obvious.
Jun 29th 2008, 2:34 pm
#50
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: melbourne
Posts: 371
Re: Losing Accent
The saying goes - once you're over 15, you keep your accent..
In my experience, I went to London from South Africa at the age of 25 for 2 years, then lived in Aberdeen, Scotland for 16 more years, then came to Melbourne 2 years ago and I still have the same SA accent I started with!
I think I proved the old saying correct!
In my experience, I went to London from South Africa at the age of 25 for 2 years, then lived in Aberdeen, Scotland for 16 more years, then came to Melbourne 2 years ago and I still have the same SA accent I started with!
I think I proved the old saying correct!
Jun 30th 2008, 3:57 am
#51
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Dawesville, WA
Posts: 1,192
Re: Losing Accent
We have been here for the best part of 2 years. My youngest is now five and a few words sometimes come out sounding a bit Ozzie. Our eldest started to sound Ozzie within a couple of weeks of starting school. However, when this was pointed out to him by relatives in the UK he was horrified and now makes a huge effort to keep his Southern accent. I teach high school maths and Computing so I spend a lot of time in conversation with Australian teenagers and I share an office with six Ozzie teachers consequently, the odd word such as computer and negative (as in number) sometimes comes out sounding a bit Ozzie.
ACE
ACE
Last edited by ACE; Jun 30th 2008 at 4:00 am.
Jun 30th 2008, 4:46 am
#52
Oiiii.. You slaggg!
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Brisbaneshire
Posts: 5,209
Jun 30th 2008, 6:40 am
#53
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Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 435
Re: Losing Accent
In my nearly 7 years of experience of being an Englishman in Melbourne I have worked hard not to lose my accent – even though my English friends tell me I have an Aussie twang to it now.
Being an Englishman in Melbourne is a fantastic way to pick up over here.
All you have to do is politely offer a lady a drink and suddenly she is telling you about her long lost uncle in London or her month backpacking round Europe.
If you maintain your ‘Englishness’ and act like a gentleman (open doors, offer seats, buy drinks, smile and show interest in the subject) then one is often ‘in’.
The last thing I would want is to be lumped with the 10million odd Aussie bogans who wouldn’t know how to treat a lady if they’d read the instructions on the back of a VB stubbie.
My accent distinguishes me and defines me. I love it.
Being an Englishman in Melbourne is a fantastic way to pick up over here.
All you have to do is politely offer a lady a drink and suddenly she is telling you about her long lost uncle in London or her month backpacking round Europe.
If you maintain your ‘Englishness’ and act like a gentleman (open doors, offer seats, buy drinks, smile and show interest in the subject) then one is often ‘in’.
The last thing I would want is to be lumped with the 10million odd Aussie bogans who wouldn’t know how to treat a lady if they’d read the instructions on the back of a VB stubbie.
My accent distinguishes me and defines me. I love it.
Jun 30th 2008, 9:52 am
#54
Banned
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Angle vale Sth Australia
Posts: 5,353
Re: Losing Accent
In my nearly 7 years of experience of being an Englishman in Melbourne I have worked hard not to lose my accent – even though my English friends tell me I have an Aussie twang to it now.
Being an Englishman in Melbourne is a fantastic way to pick up over here.
All you have to do is politely offer a lady a drink and suddenly she is telling you about her long lost uncle in London or her month backpacking round Europe.
If you maintain your ‘Englishness’ and act like a gentleman (open doors, offer seats, buy drinks, smile and show interest in the subject) then one is often ‘in’.
The last thing I would want is to be lumped with the 10million odd Aussie bogans who wouldn’t know how to treat a lady if they’d read the instructions on the back of a VB stubbie.
My accent distinguishes me and defines me. I love it.
Being an Englishman in Melbourne is a fantastic way to pick up over here.
All you have to do is politely offer a lady a drink and suddenly she is telling you about her long lost uncle in London or her month backpacking round Europe.
If you maintain your ‘Englishness’ and act like a gentleman (open doors, offer seats, buy drinks, smile and show interest in the subject) then one is often ‘in’.
The last thing I would want is to be lumped with the 10million odd Aussie bogans who wouldn’t know how to treat a lady if they’d read the instructions on the back of a VB stubbie.
My accent distinguishes me and defines me. I love it.
mm
Jun 30th 2008, 9:54 am
#55
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Frankston, Victoria
Posts: 1,199
Re: Losing Accent
Only been here a year, but already the children sound quite Ozzie! I won't change mine but I do find myself using many expressions which irritate me. As a teacher, I find the students listen carefully to my accent...for the first few mins...then they 'bag' me for it!
Jul 2nd 2008, 3:46 pm
#58
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 19
Re: Losing Accent
I'm 23 & moving over in 2 and a half weeks.... intrigued as to whats gonna happen, totally agree with the mimicking by accident of strong accents, I used to do it as a kid and only realised after i was doing it and that it probably wasnt going down too well!!! Got a blank, southern (non) accent .... who knows!!
Amy
Amy
Jul 5th 2008, 12:59 pm
#59
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: At the moment Mackay in Queensland Australia
Posts: 24
Re: Losing Accent
I'm 23 & moving over in 2 and a half weeks.... intrigued as to whats gonna happen, totally agree with the mimicking by accident of strong accents, I used to do it as a kid and only realised after i was doing it and that it probably wasnt going down too well!!! Got a blank, southern (non) accent .... who knows!!
Amy
Amy
Jul 5th 2008, 1:32 pm
#60
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Losing Accent
In my nearly 7 years of experience of being an Englishman in Melbourne I have worked hard not to lose my accent – even though my English friends tell me I have an Aussie twang to it now.
Being an Englishman in Melbourne is a fantastic way to pick up over here.
All you have to do is politely offer a lady a drink and suddenly she is telling you about her long lost uncle in London or her month backpacking round Europe.
If you maintain your ‘Englishness’ and act like a gentleman (open doors, offer seats, buy drinks, smile and show interest in the subject) then one is often ‘in’.
The last thing I would want is to be lumped with the 10million odd Aussie bogans who wouldn’t know how to treat a lady if they’d read the instructions on the back of a VB stubbie.
My accent distinguishes me and defines me. I love it.
Being an Englishman in Melbourne is a fantastic way to pick up over here.
All you have to do is politely offer a lady a drink and suddenly she is telling you about her long lost uncle in London or her month backpacking round Europe.
If you maintain your ‘Englishness’ and act like a gentleman (open doors, offer seats, buy drinks, smile and show interest in the subject) then one is often ‘in’.
The last thing I would want is to be lumped with the 10million odd Aussie bogans who wouldn’t know how to treat a lady if they’d read the instructions on the back of a VB stubbie.
My accent distinguishes me and defines me. I love it.
My experience (and from watching UK reality shows !) is that a good cut glass accent can impress but many UK accents sound plain awful and often come with poor diction - good diction which I think can make up for accent. I think it is often the curiosity factor.A recent UK trip saw us meet up with an Australian dancer who has a nice cut-glass RP accent after 10 years in London. I thought it was terrific but she said we sounded a bit Australian. I thought it was good that no party was judgemental about the ''swap'' - a lot of people have very strong views about losing or keeping an accent.
Thére's a bloke at work who can mimic a lot of English accents. He does them very well - too well.
I find some Victorians have very good diction. They don't have a twang and don't sound classicly Australian nor do they infact sound English really. It's a very pleasant accent.