Aussie accents
May 26th 2004, 10:47 pm
#31
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Originally posted by flying dutchman
I get a bit annoyed though with people who say picking up accents is 'fake' or 'sad'. I think it all depends on your background and your desire to fit in. Don't forget, to be in a country 30 years, surrounded by an Australian accent, it takes effort to retain a Yorkshire or whatever accent. Perhaps this is fake? A reluctance to integrate?
I get a bit annoyed though with people who say picking up accents is 'fake' or 'sad'. I think it all depends on your background and your desire to fit in. Don't forget, to be in a country 30 years, surrounded by an Australian accent, it takes effort to retain a Yorkshire or whatever accent. Perhaps this is fake? A reluctance to integrate?
Having said that, I'm not sure I would be terribly happy at being told I had an Aussie accent. At least not at first. At least not by Brits. If an Aussie congratulated me on my lack of accent then I suppose I would take that as a compliment, much as if a Frenchman did.
May 26th 2004, 10:50 pm
#32
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Originally posted by flying dutchman
This thread is an intersting one. I too listened with interest to 'Get a New Life' and that lifeguard bokey who sounds'true blue' aussie. I reckon he simply has put roots down and chosen to become Australian.
I get a bit annoyed though with people who say picking up accents is 'fake' or 'sad'. I think it all depends on your background and your desire to fit in. Don't forget, to be in a country 30 years, surrounded by an Australian accent, it takes effort to retain a Yorkshire or whatever accent. Perhaps this is fake? A reluctance to integrate?
I grew up all over Europe and in Canada and spent my formative years in international school in Portugal. So, my English is perfect, but I have a transatlantic/Dutch/Aussie accent as a result of the friends I made at school.
I also know that as I have no real roots (and I think this is key), and no accent to call my own, I pick up accents very easily. I am also very adaptable to other countries and cultures and languages, and thus accents too. I don't consider this a weakness though - I am just a product of my upbringing. In fact I think its a strength.
And, I know I slip into an Aussie twang when I am there. Can't help it.
This thread is an intersting one. I too listened with interest to 'Get a New Life' and that lifeguard bokey who sounds'true blue' aussie. I reckon he simply has put roots down and chosen to become Australian.
I get a bit annoyed though with people who say picking up accents is 'fake' or 'sad'. I think it all depends on your background and your desire to fit in. Don't forget, to be in a country 30 years, surrounded by an Australian accent, it takes effort to retain a Yorkshire or whatever accent. Perhaps this is fake? A reluctance to integrate?
I grew up all over Europe and in Canada and spent my formative years in international school in Portugal. So, my English is perfect, but I have a transatlantic/Dutch/Aussie accent as a result of the friends I made at school.
I also know that as I have no real roots (and I think this is key), and no accent to call my own, I pick up accents very easily. I am also very adaptable to other countries and cultures and languages, and thus accents too. I don't consider this a weakness though - I am just a product of my upbringing. In fact I think its a strength.
And, I know I slip into an Aussie twang when I am there. Can't help it.
If you moved to Leeds would you be ok about picking up our accent then lol and what is perfect english ... just joking but I cant wait to shed my accent but alas I think it is too strong and will be with me for ever
May 26th 2004, 11:15 pm
#33
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Originally posted by mcmercer
I'd dearly love to lose my brummie accent but its sticking fast so far
a friend of mine from brum has lost hers completely after 8 years here, even ausie friends cant spot her as a pom, until she has a few drinks, then she reverts which is quite strange!!!
I'd dearly love to lose my brummie accent but its sticking fast so far
a friend of mine from brum has lost hers completely after 8 years here, even ausie friends cant spot her as a pom, until she has a few drinks, then she reverts which is quite strange!!!
Conscious effort to lose accent when sober, revert to type when not? OzTennis
May 26th 2004, 11:25 pm
#34
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you're probably right Oztennis, must try harder with my conscious effort
May 26th 2004, 11:33 pm
#35
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Originally posted by sky
If you moved to Leeds would you be ok about picking up our accent then lol and what is perfect english ... just joking but I cant wait to shed my accent but alas I think it is too strong and will be with me for ever
If you moved to Leeds would you be ok about picking up our accent then lol and what is perfect english ... just joking but I cant wait to shed my accent but alas I think it is too strong and will be with me for ever
Can't comment on Leeds, but I did live in Manchester for about 8 months as a kid and started to integrate i.e. pick up the accent. It just happens.
Perhaps it happens faster in kids because they are not really that rooted yet, and also because they just let their accent naturally evolve without concious thought?...
May 27th 2004, 12:01 am
#36
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Originally posted by mcmercer
I'd dearly love to lose my brummie accent but its sticking fast so far a friend of mine from brum has lost hers completely after 8 years here, even ausie friends cant spot her as a pom, until she has a few drinks, then she reverts which is quite strange!!!
I'd dearly love to lose my brummie accent but its sticking fast so far
a friend of mine from brum has lost hers completely after 8 years here, even ausie friends cant spot her as a pom, until she has a few drinks, then she reverts which is quite strange!!!
May 27th 2004, 12:30 am
#37
Extended Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 486
Aussie accent
There's a theory that the Aussie accent comes from British/Irish convicts and settlers getting there and having to squint a lot due to the bright sun.
Go on, try it now - squint your eyes and say 'yeah'.
Aw mate.
Go on, try it now - squint your eyes and say 'yeah'.
Aw mate.
May 27th 2004, 1:02 am
#38
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
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If anyone wants to learn the lingo to go with the accent!
http://www.abc.net.au/civics/globalc...s/ozstrine.htm
http://www4.tpg.com.au/users/bev2000/strine2.htm
http://library.trinity.wa.edu.au/sub...t/austlang.htm
OzTennis
http://www.abc.net.au/civics/globalc...s/ozstrine.htm
http://www4.tpg.com.au/users/bev2000/strine2.htm
http://library.trinity.wa.edu.au/sub...t/austlang.htm
OzTennis
May 27th 2004, 2:04 am
#39
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To me an Australian accent is 'normal' and any other accent I hear is immediately obvious to me and sticks out a mile.
My own accent is also 'normal' to me so I don't think I sound any different to anyone else.
So I still get a shock everytime I call someone I know on the phone here and they know it's me immediately - even though I only said hello. I'm always told that it's my very strong English accent.
Naturally, family in the UK think I sound like Dame Edna.
The other strange thing about accents is I only have to have a short conversation with anyone from South Africa - and I start clipping my words and begin to talk like them. Really wierd..
My own accent is also 'normal' to me so I don't think I sound any different to anyone else.
So I still get a shock everytime I call someone I know on the phone here and they know it's me immediately - even though I only said hello. I'm always told that it's my very strong English accent.
Naturally, family in the UK think I sound like Dame Edna.
The other strange thing about accents is I only have to have a short conversation with anyone from South Africa - and I start clipping my words and begin to talk like them. Really wierd..
May 27th 2004, 2:08 am
#40
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Re: Aussie accent
Originally posted by Big Galah
There's a theory that the Aussie accent comes from British/Irish convicts and settlers getting there and having to squint a lot due to the bright sun.
Go on, try it now - squint your eyes and say 'yeah'.
Aw mate.
There's a theory that the Aussie accent comes from British/Irish convicts and settlers getting there and having to squint a lot due to the bright sun.
Go on, try it now - squint your eyes and say 'yeah'.
Aw mate.
Togs - Swimming costume (nope Dad has always reffered to swimming costumes as togs, so Glaswegian scots origin)
Tea - Evening meal. M&D always refer to the evening meal as tea, so again Scots, maybe irish as well
Dinner - Refers to any meal, not just evening meal. Yip, I have constant arguments with Mrs JTL about what I mean when I say dinner. It CAN refer to lunch, though probably not breakfast.
Loads of other phrases all seemed familiar to me. Not so much 'Culture Shock' as 'Yes and...'
So I reckon I'll pick up the Aussie accent really quick. It doesn't help that I'm working with a bunch of Aussies in Glasgow already, I keep catching myself refering to everyone as 'mate' , and saying 'no worries'
Cheers,
JTL
May 27th 2004, 2:11 am
#41
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"So I reckon I'll pick up the Aussie accent really quick. It doesn't help that I'm working with a bunch of Aussies in Glasgow already, I keep catching myself refering to everyone as 'mate' , and saying 'no worries'
"
'I reckon', thats another one that drills into the mind. Gotta stop saying that
JTL
"
'I reckon', thats another one that drills into the mind. Gotta stop saying that
JTL
May 27th 2004, 3:58 am
#42
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Joined: May 2004
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 284
Re: Aussie accent
Originally posted by JackTheLad
Well I'm scots/irish (born in Scotland with scots parent, live in Norn Iron mostly)and was reading 'Culture Shock Australia' this week, and I laughed at the phrases they claim to be uniquely Australian.
Togs - Swimming costume (nope Dad has always reffered to swimming costumes as togs, so Glaswegian scots origin)
Tea - Evening meal. M&D always refer to the evening meal as tea, so again Scots, maybe irish as well
Dinner - Refers to any meal, not just evening meal. Yip, I have constant arguments with Mrs JTL about what I mean when I say dinner. It CAN refer to lunch, though probably not breakfast.
Loads of other phrases all seemed familiar to me. Not so much 'Culture Shock' as 'Yes and...'
So I reckon I'll pick up the Aussie accent really quick. It doesn't help that I'm working with a bunch of Aussies in Glasgow already, I keep catching myself refering to everyone as 'mate' , and saying 'no worries'
Cheers,
JTL
Well I'm scots/irish (born in Scotland with scots parent, live in Norn Iron mostly)and was reading 'Culture Shock Australia' this week, and I laughed at the phrases they claim to be uniquely Australian.
Togs - Swimming costume (nope Dad has always reffered to swimming costumes as togs, so Glaswegian scots origin)
Tea - Evening meal. M&D always refer to the evening meal as tea, so again Scots, maybe irish as well
Dinner - Refers to any meal, not just evening meal. Yip, I have constant arguments with Mrs JTL about what I mean when I say dinner. It CAN refer to lunch, though probably not breakfast.
Loads of other phrases all seemed familiar to me. Not so much 'Culture Shock' as 'Yes and...'
So I reckon I'll pick up the Aussie accent really quick. It doesn't help that I'm working with a bunch of Aussies in Glasgow already, I keep catching myself refering to everyone as 'mate' , and saying 'no worries'
Cheers,
JTL
