lindaclaire

hello.

I was just wondering how long it has taken people to delvelop an aussie accent. I am hoping to land next summer (english summer not aussie) and both my brother and I are quite keen to develop the accent and to be "proper aussies" We are heading to Rockingham or freemantle, Perth.

cheers

love Linda x

CasG

I can't see that I'll ever be able to get rid of my northern accent

lindaclaire

are you in australia yet or are you still waiting for ur visa? if you're there, how long have u beening out there/ where did u settle?

sorry for twenty questions!!

Bix

Linda, I am in fact finding it quite the reverse.

I am retrograding back to quite a broad Cornish accent.........I don't always realise it myself but the love of my life points it out occassionally..........usually with her elbow

Now just think if the same happens to you what will it be............pure Essex girl ?

CasG

Been in Melbourne for 7 months now - and settling very well thanks - in fact, love it here

Bix

Especially the work

CasG

What work?

Having a bit of time, as I've got family visitors coming soon - then I'll work again!

Bix

Then you'll be glad to work

michellemac

Well, to aussies, unless you are really young (say younger than 12 or so) then never (My dad emigrated to Australia as a 12 year old and he has an aussie accent, all of his older siblings have still got their Scottish twangs)

To your British friends, probably within about 5 minutes of landing, and you'll get sick of people "back home" saying "OMG you sound like an Aussie!" when the next minute you walk to the shop and someone makes fun of your English accent!

Michelle

CasG

Sure will - for 1, I want to work - just not where I was; and 2, after 9 weeks of visitors (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ), I'll be begging for work :scared:

gogdownunder

It depends how old you are, I was a child coming here & didn't speak english very much anyway, being welsh. So I was speaking oz within 3 months. I still speak welsh with an accent that can be localised to my home town, though

Strange things accents

lindaclaire

beng nineteen, twenty when we eventually get there i don't suppose i'll have much chance then, i'll be like my uncle, somehwere in between!! better than nothing i guess

gogdownunder

you'll be ok, you're not past it

I have a 24yo son in the US who is getting more of a US accent by day, so I think you'll adapt, but never completely, but that's not a bad thing anyway

lindaclaire

how long has he been out there out of interest? (just being nosy now!!)

Shellfish

It's true, I read somewhere that you unlikely to completely lose an accent past around the age of 11 or 12. Something to do with languages and brain development. That said, every time I call home my dad says I sound Australian and calls me Sheila - I can't wait til he comes over for a holiday and hears how strong the accent really is.