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Sounding like a Yank

Sounding like a Yank

Old Jun 24th 2006, 12:01 am
  #16  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by st326
Well, I've been in the US three days now. And I just got accused of having a trace of American in my accent, whilst on the phone to my other half back in the UK.

:scared: OK, I'm doomed. :scared:

Have other people found this? I can see it happening, actually -- I'll go up to someone in a shop, ask for something, get a blank look, then say the same thing again, slower, taking care to use a more American rhythm, and only then do they get it.
My accent hasn't changed but my vocabulary has.


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Old Jun 24th 2006, 12:14 am
  #17  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Sugarmooma
I've been in Texas for a long long time now, almost 20 years; and I still have my English accent and if I ever start to sound like that then I know it's time to leave

I know a GI bride who still has her accent after all these years!
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 12:16 am
  #18  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by TouristTrap
I know a GI bride who still has her accent after all these years!
Yes I know loads of people that have been here 20/30 yrs and still retain their original accent.
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 12:33 am
  #19  
 
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
Yes I know loads of people that have been here 20/30 yrs and still retain their original accent.
I bet we all talk with some kind of accent, we just don't notice it. My mates tore me a new one the last time I was back in the UK, for saying "Garaj" instead of "Garege"
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 2:17 am
  #20  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

My Mum came over in April and noticed that when I speak to Americans my accent changes from a very broad northern accent to 'a posher english accent but with americanisms'. I honestly hadn't realised until she pointed it out.

As I have mentioned before I assess 4/5 year olds and I have found myself talking in a lovely Joisey accent when assessing them.
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 2:38 am
  #21  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by gruffbrown
I bet we all talk with some kind of accent, we just don't notice it. My mates tore me a new one the last time I was back in the UK, for saying "Garaj" instead of "Garege"
I agree, it's the Americanisms that make us sound more American, if not the accent. I said 'its all good' to an English friend on the phone the other day and she said I sound like a yank!
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 2:53 am
  #22  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by mandpete
...I have found myself talking in a lovely Joisey accent......




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Old Jun 24th 2006, 2:59 am
  #23  
 
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Shahlax
I agree, it's the Americanisms that make us sound more American, if not the accent. I said 'its all good' to an English friend on the phone the other day and she said I sound like a yank!
I caught myself saying "We're in good shape" the other day.
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 11:18 am
  #24  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by gruffbrown
I caught myself saying "We're in good shape" the other day.
Good jarrrrb!
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 1:46 pm
  #25  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Philgr
If you're over here without other Brits to continually reinforce your accent it will slowly slip to some mid-Atlantic amalgam of English and American that is neither English nor American. Start preparing yourself to be viewed as a foreigner in both countries.



I think that's what has happened to me. I can sound very British when I think before I speak, but if I'm just chatting, I can hear American more and more. That actually bothers me a bit (although I know it shouldn't!). It just sounds like you're being lazy when that happens because to me, the way Americans pronounce a lot of words they are being lazy (dropping parts of the word e.t.c).
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 1:48 pm
  #26  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by blaze
I think that's what has happened to me. I can sound very British when I think before I speak, but if I'm just chatting, I can hear American more and more. That actually bothers me a bit (although I know it shouldn't!). It just sounds like you're being lazy when that happens because to me, the way Americans pronounce a lot of words they are being lazy (dropping parts of the word e.t.c).

I am curious to know what 'very British' sounds like!
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 1:53 pm
  #27  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Elvira
I am curious to know what 'very British' sounds like!


To me it's pronouncing every word as if you had never lived outside of the country! . Even though I grew up in Wales, I have quite a strong English accent (possibly quite upper crust at times! ) because my parents are both English.
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 1:56 pm
  #28  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by blaze
To me it's pronouncing every word as if you had never lived outside of the country! . Even though I grew up in Wales, I have quite a strong English accent (possibly quite upper crust at times! ) because my parents are both English.

So you're posh like me then...

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Old Jun 24th 2006, 2:19 pm
  #29  
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Elvira
So you're posh like me then...

....and me 'cos I come from Yorkshire so I must be posh.
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Old Jun 24th 2006, 2:22 pm
  #30  
 
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Default Re: Sounding like a Yank

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
....and me 'cos I come from Yorkshire so I must be posh.
I'm common
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