Will you ever lose your British accent?
Jan 18th 2012, 9:46 am
#16
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
Have been here 5 years now but I don't think I've picked up much of an accent yet although when we go back to the UK people say there is a slight one.
Sometimes one creeps through if I've been working with Aussies for a few days.
As for pronouncing words I refuse to say darta, parsta, yo-gurt, pro-ject, etc that's not because of Aussie it's because the American's say it and as they are slowly destroying the English pronunciation so it's protest against that!!!!!
I also find it hard with the alternative words, still can't get used to sweets being lollies, when someone says pants I still think of underware, I still snigger at thongs! Have to be so careful not to have a root around as well
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Maybe the younger you come out here the easier it is to change accents. Having said that our ex-neighbours are from Newcastle, been here 20 odd years and his accent is still so strong! It's a miracle anyone can understand him!
Funny thing is quite often people as me where I'm from which I find puzzling. Evidently not Aussie or American, or European as I'd have an accent but because I'm from Surrey someone said it's because I have a neutral accent so they can't place it! Maybe it I were from up North or out and out Londoner it might be easier! We went to Tunisia on holiday once and no one believed we were English because we didn't have a northern accent!!!
Sometimes one creeps through if I've been working with Aussies for a few days.
As for pronouncing words I refuse to say darta, parsta, yo-gurt, pro-ject, etc that's not because of Aussie it's because the American's say it and as they are slowly destroying the English pronunciation so it's protest against that!!!!!
I also find it hard with the alternative words, still can't get used to sweets being lollies, when someone says pants I still think of underware, I still snigger at thongs! Have to be so careful not to have a root around as well
.Maybe the younger you come out here the easier it is to change accents. Having said that our ex-neighbours are from Newcastle, been here 20 odd years and his accent is still so strong! It's a miracle anyone can understand him!
Funny thing is quite often people as me where I'm from which I find puzzling. Evidently not Aussie or American, or European as I'd have an accent but because I'm from Surrey someone said it's because I have a neutral accent so they can't place it! Maybe it I were from up North or out and out Londoner it might be easier! We went to Tunisia on holiday once and no one believed we were English because we didn't have a northern accent!!!
Jan 18th 2012, 10:27 am
#18
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
I read your posts in broad Glasgae accent
ROMFT's aunt and uncle have lived in Aus since the early 60's, and I was surprised at how Irish they still sound.
I, unfortunately, have a habit of mimicking those I speak to, without realising it, so I speak in a multitude of tongues
Jan 18th 2012, 10:37 am
#19
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,838
Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
At work I am forced to say YO-gurt, as all the kiddies either correct me or don't understand what I'm on about, similarly I've had to learn that sweets are lollies, lollies are paddlepops, pants are trousers, wellies are gumboots etc.....
I have noticed DD using uptalk, ( but that was happening in the UK thanks to the American influence,) and very occasionally I say "no" with an extra few vowels in it. I remain essentially "very posh" English.
I have noticed DD using uptalk, ( but that was happening in the UK thanks to the American influence,) and very occasionally I say "no" with an extra few vowels in it. I remain essentially "very posh" English.
Jan 18th 2012, 10:41 am
#20
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
Never had one,the Irish accent is the only one worth anything,anywhere in the world
Jan 18th 2012, 10:42 am
#21
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Location: Sydney, NSW
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
My OH is Welsh, but you wouldn't know it as he speaks more or less standard English. He is also a grammar nazi, and is the 'guru' at work since no one there can write half decent English. We both shudder at American spellings.
We are so dull that we sit there in the evening adding 'ly to adverbs - think the people on tv have forgotten they exist!!! Another pet hate is using "lay" for lie.
We are so dull that we sit there in the evening adding 'ly to adverbs - think the people on tv have forgotten they exist!!! Another pet hate is using "lay" for lie.
Jan 18th 2012, 10:42 am
#22
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Jan 18th 2012, 10:45 am
#24
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Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
I've been known to talk about Yo!ghurt,Parsta,Rowters,Dahtabases,Pro-jects,Soccer ... It's just easier than being corrected.
As I have said, the accent will probably stay but I'll just pick up Aussie phrases/words.
There is no point in hanging onto what you thought was 'right' when to the majority it is wrong and you have no intention of living anywhere else. To deliberately do otherwise is, to my mind, a bit Little Englander.
As I have said, the accent will probably stay but I'll just pick up Aussie phrases/words.
There is no point in hanging onto what you thought was 'right' when to the majority it is wrong and you have no intention of living anywhere else. To deliberately do otherwise is, to my mind, a bit Little Englander.
Jan 18th 2012, 11:15 am
#25
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
Agree Vim
Last edited by don544; Jan 18th 2012 at 11:16 am. Reason: missed a bit
Jan 18th 2012, 11:19 am
#26
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
My OH is Welsh, but you wouldn't know it as he speaks more or less standard English. He is also a grammar nazi, and is the 'guru' at work since no one there can write half decent English. We both shudder at American spellings.
We are so dull that we sit there in the evening adding 'ly to adverbs - think the people on tv have forgotten they exist!!! Another pet hate is using "lay" for lie.
We are so dull that we sit there in the evening adding 'ly to adverbs - think the people on tv have forgotten they exist!!! Another pet hate is using "lay" for lie.
No, I divn't think arl iver loss me accent.
Jan 18th 2012, 11:19 am
#27
Possum. Amiculum. Latrina
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Footloose
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
I do the same when I'm on a teaching gig and the kids need to stay on track without getting excited by pronunciation differences.
Barely a day goes past without being complimented on my accent - far be it from me to deliberately lose that adoration!
Barely a day goes past without being complimented on my accent - far be it from me to deliberately lose that adoration!
Jan 18th 2012, 11:23 am
#28
Possum. Amiculum. Latrina
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Footloose
Posts: 3,427
Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
And the use of 'what' in all subordinate clauses. You even find that with politicians and industry leaders.
Jan 18th 2012, 11:51 am
#29
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Jan 18th 2012, 12:26 pm
#30
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Re: Will you ever lose your British accent?
My OH is Welsh, but you wouldn't know it as he speaks more or less standard English. He is also a grammar nazi, and is the 'guru' at work since no one there can write half decent English. We both shudder at American spellings.
We are so dull that we sit there in the evening adding 'ly to adverbs - think the people on tv have forgotten they exist!!! Another pet hate is using "lay" for lie.
We are so dull that we sit there in the evening adding 'ly to adverbs - think the people on tv have forgotten they exist!!! Another pet hate is using "lay" for lie.
