Accents
Dec 7th 2006, 4:20 pm
#1
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Accents
For those in NZ, have you picked up a Kiwi accent at all yet? If so, how strong is it? If not, do you think you ever will?
I've been in the US over 11 years now (and yes, it does seem like 11 years too long!) and started getting a bit of a drawl about 8 years ago. I fought back and retained my BBC English accent
but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there.
I've been in the US over 11 years now (and yes, it does seem like 11 years too long!) and started getting a bit of a drawl about 8 years ago. I fought back and retained my BBC English accent
but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there.
Dec 7th 2006, 4:42 pm
#2
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Re: Accents
Originally Posted by Maz
For those in NZ, have you picked up a Kiwi accent at all yet? If so, how strong is it? If not, do you think you ever will?
I've been in the US over 11 years now (and yes, it does seem like 11 years too long!) and started getting a bit of a drawl about 8 years ago. I fought back and retained my BBC English accent but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there.
I've been in the US over 11 years now (and yes, it does seem like 11 years too long!) and started getting a bit of a drawl about 8 years ago. I fought back and retained my BBC English accent
but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there.She now is comfortable using quaint localisms such as 'bloody bastard' and 'bloody hell'.
Dec 7th 2006, 4:53 pm
#3
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Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Back in NZ & loving it - living in Orewa
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Re: Accents
The first time I moved here aged 8) I picked up a real NZ accent within about 2 years - then lost it again within 3-4 years of living in UK. I'm hoping to get my kiwi one back soon but been here a year so far without much progress.
Dec 7th 2006, 5:07 pm
#4
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: Accents
Originally Posted by happynz
My wife, a Thai who has a rather unique accent when speaking English, is now picking up Kiwi phrases and inflections.
She now is comfortable using quaint localisms such as 'bloody bastard' and 'bloody hell'.
She now is comfortable using quaint localisms such as 'bloody bastard' and 'bloody hell'.
Dec 7th 2006, 5:07 pm
#5
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: Accents
Originally Posted by lapsed kiwi
The first time I moved here aged 8) I picked up a real NZ accent within about 2 years - then lost it again within 3-4 years of living in UK. I'm hoping to get my kiwi one back soon but been here a year so far without much progress.
Work harder on it! Take elocution lessons! 
I hope you get your accent back soon!
Dec 7th 2006, 5:19 pm
#6
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Re: Accents
Originally Posted by Maz
For those in NZ, have you picked up a Kiwi accent at all yet? If so, how strong is it? If not, do you think you ever will?
I've been in the US over 11 years now (and yes, it does seem like 11 years too long!) and started getting a bit of a drawl about 8 years ago. I fought back and retained my BBC English accent but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there.
I've been in the US over 11 years now (and yes, it does seem like 11 years too long!) and started getting a bit of a drawl about 8 years ago. I fought back and retained my BBC English accent
but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there....the reverse was that I called our landlord's wife Ginny for 6 months, thinking her name was Virginia, only to realise that her name was actually Jenny - I was horrified.... she hadn't realised !
Dec 7th 2006, 5:58 pm
#7
By name and by nature
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,852
Re: Accents
Originally Posted by cottageinthesky
MOH, Geoff, fairly quickly started to tell people his name was Jiff, which I had to remind him was something that cleaned baths..
...the reverse was that I called our landlord's wife Ginny for 6 months, thinking her name was Virginia, only to realise that her name was actually Jenny - I was horrified.... she hadn't realised !
...the reverse was that I called our landlord's wife Ginny for 6 months, thinking her name was Virginia, only to realise that her name was actually Jenny - I was horrified.... she hadn't realised !
I've lived all over the place (even in Ireland) so have lost the accent I had when I was a child but it's still very Irish. My nephew told his Dad last week that my 'voice had changed' but my brother didn't think so. All I have to do is talk to my family for a few mintues and it's as strong as ever Having a Kiwi hubby though has meant that over the years I have started saying some things like him. Yis for example.
Dec 8th 2006, 6:12 am
#8
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Re: Accents
Originally Posted by Batty
I was calling my boss's wife Allie and discovered after 6 months that it was Ellie I've lived all over the place (even in Ireland) so have lost the accent I had when I was a child but it's still very Irish. My nephew told his Dad last week that my 'voice had changed' but my brother didn't think so. All I have to do is talk to my family for a few mintues and it's as strong as ever Having a Kiwi hubby though has meant that over the years I have started saying some things like him. Yis for example.
I've lived all over the place (even in Ireland) so have lost the accent I had when I was a child but it's still very Irish. My nephew told his Dad last week that my 'voice had changed' but my brother didn't think so. All I have to do is talk to my family for a few mintues and it's as strong as ever Having a Kiwi hubby though has meant that over the years I have started saying some things like him. Yis for example. My own mother for gawds sakes told me the other morning on the phone that I was sounding more kiwi every time she spoke to me :scared:
Dec 8th 2006, 7:51 am
#9
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Re: Accents
Originally Posted by sky
My kiwi friends think my Leeds accent is Irish lol and when they take me off it actually does sound Irish
My own mother for gawds sakes told me the other morning on the phone that I was sounding more kiwi every time she spoke to me :scared:
My own mother for gawds sakes told me the other morning on the phone that I was sounding more kiwi every time she spoke to me :scared:
Dec 8th 2006, 8:31 am
#10
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Posts: 547
Re: Accents
I find it kinda weird think that every time I open my mouth to someone they know straight away I am an "import"!!!! And thats after 5 years!!! Although some now think I'm an Aussie???
Dec 8th 2006, 8:50 am
#11
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Re: Accents
I get people saying to me "do I detect an accent?".... I think I have a horrible Peterborough accent. Ive picked up the odd Kiwi/Maori word but no accent as yet.
Dec 8th 2006, 9:41 am
#12
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Re: Accents
Originally Posted by Maz
but would actually quite happily adopt a Kiwi accent if/when we get there.
Dec 8th 2006, 9:43 am
#13
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Re: Accents
Originally Posted by Maz
For those in NZ, have you picked up a Kiwi accent at all yet? If so, how strong is it?
NO. Absolutely NOT.
Even at the tender age of 12 when we moved to the West Country I had the presence of mind to realise picking up the local accent would NOT be a good thing. So I didn't.
Dec 8th 2006, 9:46 am
#14
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Location: Porirua,NZ
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Re: Accents
I think accents are cool-and a great conversation starter. What does a scouse accent mixed with Kiwi sound like anyway? Irish? South African? Weird.
Dec 8th 2006, 10:01 am
#15
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Re: Accents
Originally Posted by danny.f
I think accents are cool