British Accent Paradox

[S O F I]

Does it exist or what? Most people name the accent of the people in the UK a British accent, but I know some of you say that is not true because, apparently, there are different variations of your accent throughout the four or so states? Am I getting this right?

Now, my question is, when I'm watching Love Actually and Children of Men, am I to assume that the accent is the same one...because it sure seems like it?

 

[Cooper]

we don't have 4 states..we have 4 COUNTRIES. There are many more than 4 'accents' thoughout the UK

Big One!

The most common form of English used by the British ruling class is that of south-east England (the area around the capital, London, and the ancient English university towns of Oxford and Cambridge). This form of the language is associated with Received Pronunciation (RP), which is still regarded, incorrectly, by many people outside the UK as "the British accent". However, only approximately 5 percent of Britons speak RP, and it has evolved quite markedly over the last 40 years. Moreover, there is much more tolerance of variation than there was in the past.

^ that is what you hear. Noone I know talks like that.

(from wikipedia)

 

[Cooper]

oopsie

 

[S O F I]

we don't have 4 states..we have 4 COUNTRIES.

Oh, I'm sorry for assuming they all have sovereignty .

There are many more than 4 'accents' thoughout the UK

Big One!

The most common form of English used by the British ruling class is that of south-east England (the area around the capital, London, and the ancient English university towns of Oxford and Cambridge). This form of the language is associated with Received Pronunciation (RP), which is still regarded, incorrectly, by many people outside the UK as "the British accent". However, only approximately 5 percent of Britons speak RP, and it has evolved quite markedly over the last 40 years. Moreover, there is much more tolerance of variation than there was in the past.

^ that is what you hear. Noone I know talks like that.

(from wikipedia)

Would a common American be able to distinguish among the different variations?

 

[Cooper]

yes, it's just that you don't get to hear them in the media.

 

[S O F I]

yes, it's just that you don't get to hear them in the media.

Would you mind 'youtubing' me videos with different variations spoken?

 

[Cooper]

Scouse (Liverpool)

^ A good summary

 

[Illuminattile]

Would a common American be able to distinguish among the different variations?

I would hope so. Just like we'd be able to distinguish between someone from Texas and someone from New Jersey.

Ross Noble has a strong Geordie accent
Peter Kay has a Lancashire accent
Justin Lee Collins has a strong West Country accent

The Beatles have Scouse accents, to varying degrees. Michael Caine has a Cockney accent.

I'm assuming you can recognise Irish, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh accents.

That Dunk guy is pretty good with his accents. This American guy isn't too bad, apart from his Geordie.

 

[hizzle?]

It's pretty easy to distinguish them because they are all quite different and what is more important is that they all have something that you can easily caracterize them with (as all accents actually.)

 

[Emma]

The most common form of English used by the British ruling class is that of south-east England (the area around the capital, London, and the ancient English university towns of Oxford and Cambridge). This form of the language is associated with Received Pronunciation (RP), which is still regarded, incorrectly, by many people outside the UK as "the British accent". However, only approximately 5 percent of Britons speak RP, and it has evolved quite markedly over the last 40 years. Moreover, there is much more tolerance of variation than there was in the past.

^ that is what you hear. Noone I know talks like that.

(from wikipedia)

indeed, only the bloody queen speaks like that.

Nottingham accents are dodgy

 

[Cooper]

bah...I speak properly...none of this posh southern nonsense

 

[Pittsey]

When I was in the US I got told I sound like Jason Statham... From "Lock Stock", "Snatch" etc.

 

[Emma]

^^ I get asked if I'm a member of the spice girls lol

 

[DPG iz all I C]

So many distinctive accents and dialogues in Britian, i have a fairly strong Glaswegian accent.

 

[Chronic]

Does it exist or what? Most people name the accent of the people in the UK a British accent, but I know some of you say that is not true because, apparently, there are different variations of your accent throughout the four or so states? Am I getting this right?

It's exactly the same as in the US or anywhere else. The language you guys speak is American English and different regions/people have different accents.

In the UK they speak British English and a person's accent will depend on their social background/region. It's only an accent when it differs from the norm, so British English can't be an accent as it's a language. At most you can say that American English is an accent.

You yanks really are clueless when it comes to other countries

 

[Jokerman]

They speak English in the British Isles? You learn something every day.

 

[Chronic]

They speak English in the British Isles? You learn something every day.

Why are you so persistent in breaking my spirit? :angry:

 

[Tru Principle]

I thought the UK still hadn't developed spoken language.

You really do learn something everyday.

 

[Preach]

a scottish accent rocks.

 

[Cooper]

a scottish accent rocks.

But americans can't understand it!