Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
Dec 8th 2011, 12:58 pm
#46
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
"Go on, do that British Antarctic Territory accent again!"
"No, no - do Anguilla first! Then Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia!!"
Dec 8th 2011, 1:29 pm
#47
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
You've got a point - forgot about that one. 
Now that I actually think about it, I have to admit I get a bit gnarly when I'm accused to being a southerner. I had hoped my more intelligible dialect was still distinct but apparently not. Even my OH teases me about my saying "ah" instead of "I". And you're right - the "suthruners" do get their knickers in a twist if you accuse them of being Yankees! 
Now that I actually think about it, I have to admit I get a bit gnarly when I'm accused to being a southerner. I had hoped my more intelligible dialect was still distinct but apparently not. Even my OH teases me about my saying "ah" instead of "I". And you're right - the "suthruners" do get their knickers in a twist if you accuse them of being Yankees!
Dec 8th 2011, 1:56 pm
#48
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
I was born near London, moved to South Africa at the age of 8, but spent most of my adult life in Scotland (until we moved here). South Africans think I sound English, the English think I sound South African, Americans think I sound Australian and the Scots don't know what to think. If asked, I generally say I'm from "East Texas" - this has the desired result of making them change the subject ...or go away.
[When she laughs, she cackles just like Janis Joplin. When I told her that, she responded "Why, thank you!"]
Dec 8th 2011, 2:08 pm
#49
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
FWIW, the "Southern Accents" are species of English derived accents. From what I understand, it was no accident that Leslie Howard, Olivia DeHavilland and Vivian Leigh were cast in GWTH -- they had no trouble with a believable Southern accent. Clark Gable was cast simply because he looked like Clark Gable and his accent is far from convincing.
Dec 8th 2011, 4:08 pm
#50
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
the humour (spelt with a u) was in the sarcasim another thing Americans don't seem to get - I was being sarcastic that all Americans sound the same -which they don't - but that is why I said that everybody sounds the same.
What kind of annoys me is that everyone thinks I'm Australian, why? I ve been here 10 years. There are so many Brits here - especially around Boston due to Biotech industry but every one thinks your from Australia - is it due to Crocadile Dundee - tosser if it is.
Brendan
What kind of annoys me is that everyone thinks I'm Australian, why? I ve been here 10 years. There are so many Brits here - especially around Boston due to Biotech industry but every one thinks your from Australia - is it due to Crocadile Dundee - tosser if it is.
Brendan
Dec 8th 2011, 5:28 pm
#51
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Dec 9th 2011, 12:37 am
#52
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
Leslie Howard doesn't even try, he just talks English.
Dec 9th 2011, 10:04 am
#53
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
Yes, it's a good thing they allow FORMER colonies. If the party piece was restricted to current colonies, I'd hardly ever get invited to parties.
"Go on, do that British Antarctic Territory accent again!"
"No, no - do Anguilla first! Then Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia!!"
"Go on, do that British Antarctic Territory accent again!"
"No, no - do Anguilla first! Then Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia!!"
I heard you get invited because you do an impressive macarena
Dec 9th 2011, 10:08 am
#54
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
Pronunciation of the word "out" is the only way I, personally, can tell a Canadian from an American. Canadians pronounce it more like "oot" - other than that, except for those from Quebec having the French-Canadian accent, I find it hard to differentiate one from the other, language-wise.
Dec 9th 2011, 12:45 pm
#55
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Dec 9th 2011, 5:26 pm
#56
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
I've been accused of being from all of these places before and I don't sound anything at all like that.
Dec 9th 2011, 6:47 pm
#57
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
[When she laughs, she cackles just like Janis Joplin. When I told her that, she responded "Why, thank you!"][/QUOTE]
I only chose my insurance agent on the basis that he sounded like Jack Nicholson on the phone and I got a kick out of it!
I only chose my insurance agent on the basis that he sounded like Jack Nicholson on the phone and I got a kick out of it!
Dec 9th 2011, 9:30 pm
#58
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
To be pedantic, here's some subtle American accent questions:
Can you tell the difference between Kansas City, Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota accents?
Can you identify a Los Angeles accent (which does exist)?
Can you distiguish between a Boston and Maine accent (this is relatively easy)? How about Eastern Mass vs. Western Mass (this is tougher)?
Can you distiguish the following Southern accents: Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama/Northern Florida, Georgia?
Can you identify a Baltimore accent?
How about a Philly accent?
How about a Delaware accent?
How about Pittsburgh (possibly the weirdest accent in the US)?
Can you tell the difference between Kansas City, Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota accents?
Can you identify a Los Angeles accent (which does exist)?
Can you distiguish between a Boston and Maine accent (this is relatively easy)? How about Eastern Mass vs. Western Mass (this is tougher)?
Can you distiguish the following Southern accents: Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama/Northern Florida, Georgia?
Can you identify a Baltimore accent?
How about a Philly accent?
How about a Delaware accent?
How about Pittsburgh (possibly the weirdest accent in the US)?
Dec 9th 2011, 9:51 pm
#59
I have a comma problem
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
To be pedantic, here's some subtle American accent questions:
Can you tell the difference between Kansas City, Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota accents?
Can you identify a Los Angeles accent (which does exist)?
Can you distiguish between a Boston and Maine accent (this is relatively easy)? How about Eastern Mass vs. Western Mass (this is tougher)?
Can you distiguish the following Southern accents: Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama/Northern Florida, Georgia?
Can you identify a Baltimore accent?
How about a Philly accent?
How about a Delaware accent?
How about Pittsburgh (possibly the weirdest accent in the US)?
Can you tell the difference between Kansas City, Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota accents?
Can you identify a Los Angeles accent (which does exist)?
Can you distiguish between a Boston and Maine accent (this is relatively easy)? How about Eastern Mass vs. Western Mass (this is tougher)?
Can you distiguish the following Southern accents: Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama/Northern Florida, Georgia?
Can you identify a Baltimore accent?
How about a Philly accent?
How about a Delaware accent?
How about Pittsburgh (possibly the weirdest accent in the US)?
The first one is pretty easy though (much as I confess I dislike the Chicago accent after living here six years
). I know a few people from MN and WI, and some of them sound almost Canadian.The rest I could have a fair stab at, except maybe the PA ones.
Dec 9th 2011, 10:42 pm
#60
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Re: Have I finally insulted an American about Accents
Anyone from Boston, well southie, sounds like a knob....metrowest, they start to sound normal, but some with a bit of a kick to the accent and out west, they sound properly normal again, even if what they start to say makes less sense
