kel.n.issy

I have only been here a 3 months hence my British Accent is very British still, eldest daughter (8) is trying so hard to get the American twang, and just wondered if you lot all talk with native tongue or speak like you never lived there.

My Britsh accent means everyone want to here you say stupid things and then follow up with how cute ?????

part of me doesnt want to stand out like a sore thumb but I really dont want to lose it forever.

BigDavyG

If I lost my brit accent I could never go home again, so its staying despite the translation problems I seem to continually experience over here.

TouristTrap

Speak with my normal accent, EXCEPTING on the phone where the American one gets trotted out, or with some dummy who can't understand me...

DaveC

I'm losing my Scottish accent. I'm not quite at the Lloyd Grossman stage yet, but give me a couple of years......

Thydney

Not a jot of a change in mine I've just slowed down a bit. If I try it just sounds like I'm taking the piss

Bob

I wouldn't know...but apparently I haven't lost my accent...it ain't such a big deal out here in Mass, but then they don't sound twangy, just odd...but not as odd as Mainers...

Jaxbar

Last week someone from back home said they thought I had picked up a slight American accent.

Yesterday while trying to make an appointment at the hairdressers I was told " I cant understand you I will have to get someone else!". Guess I'm safe

yorkshirelass

My kids!!

spuggy

I have lived in so many places that bits and pieces slip in depending on my mood. Its mostly a soft geordie, full geordie when talking to my scottish neighbour or family, cockney when I am in a bad mood, and a bit texan when slightly inebriated.
I don't really think about it too much and then I will have someone ask where I am from or how they like my british accent and I remember I speak different. I have lived in America so long I can't remember if I am saying or spelling something American or English anymore.

Husband walks into the house and hears me he knows if I have talked to my mum that day, been hanging out with my scottish neighbour or I am in a bad mood. So no chance of me having a fling with anybody called pierre

TruBrit

oh please god no not ever.....been here 5 yrs and i work at keeping my british accent.

i can understand your 8yr old wanting to fit in with the locals. although i'm married to a usc guess i've been with him so long i don't hear his southern accent anymore thank goodness although it is softer than the harsh northern usa accent.

i find the locals will understand you as long as you use their words...that is unless you ask for water

britvic

You'll loose it if you want to, met a few Brit's who have been here bloody years and still sound as British as they come, and then the odd one who feels the need to become "dare I say it" a Yank wanner be

Dan725

Not lost it yet, and don't intend to, although I do find myself using some local phrases and slowing down some words with people I don't know to make myself understood first time; I really do hate hearing the "Huh"? response. It seems to be a delayed reaction - you say something to someone, and they stand there all nodding and smiling.....then go "Huh"?, bloody annoying it is!

Brit3964

After a little over 10yrs here, I think I'm probably just about americanised accent-wise. Went back to Blighty last March and 2 family/friends said my accent was more americanised although I really can't tell.

Yet I'll still say "lift" instead of "elevator" and pronounce "aluminum" as "aloominum" without a second thought *L*

gardnma

Its not some kind of communicable disease you know .........
I reckon ( ) its really unavoidable after a while .......... how can you maintain that pattern of speech when all around you is different?

One thing though, it seems to take very little for it to snap back ......... a phone conversation ....

You are right though Vic, if you force yourself to, you can lose it.

Dan725

Ah yes, the good old wadder. On planes nowadays, where the problem seems most pronounced I always order coke. I just can't do the wadder thing from the window seat where you have to raise you voice a bit, I feel like a complete buffoon.

"What would you like Sir?"

"I'll have a water, thanks"

"Huh"?

"War-ter"

"Huh?"

(Cringing)"Warder"

"A Wadder?"

"Yes, thanks"

Its just too much trouble, coke it is and to hell with the dentist bills