Oh, and back to what led us to this, you mentioned Hugh Jackman – an Australian who did a very good American accent in the X-Men series.I just saw Guy Pierce (L.A. Confidential) in one of his Australian movies about a bank heist -- my God, the man needs subtitles, you can barely understand a word he says -- and then you see him in Memento with almost no accent.
You got it wrong. It's you Americans who have the accent. :)
Seriously, though, I know what you mean. We have the two islands (Scotland and Ireland) and some of them I can’t tell what they’re saying for the life of me. And don’t even get me started on the Welsh. (No offense anyone, btw!)
American newscasters used to train for that toneless, accent-less American English sound that's totally divorced from region. EVERYONE else has an accent when they speak English!
American newscasters used to train for that toneless, accent-less American English sound that's totally divorced from region. EVERYONE else has an accent when they speak English!
The various southern U.S. dialects sound "gracious" to them, and sound like they're a bunch of hicks to everyone else.
...
I have heard that since the south was often settled by second or third sons of noble families from England that the 'southern' accent is the same as English nobility. Given a couple hundred years of divergence and I can hear it.
I have heard that since the south was often settled by second or third sons of noble families from England that the 'southern' accent is the same as English nobility. Given a couple hundred years of divergence and I can hear it.
Hmmm... now you've kind of got me hearing it, too.
American newscasters used to train for that toneless, accent-less American English sound that's totally divorced from region. EVERYONE else has an accent when they speak English!
The various southern U.S. dialects sound "gracious" to them, and sound like they're a bunch of hicks to everyone else.
New Englanders mangle English pronounciation even worse than Michael Caine mangled the accent in "Cider House" (bit of trivia: in Boston, a "skaff" can be made of cashmere).
Londoners have several different accents, all of which sound either silly or affected to the American ear.
Liverpudlians just talk like bums. Sorry.
Scots are okay, unless they're Sean Connery, or insist on speaking Erse.
The Irish "accent" is just slurring from drink. When I've had a few pints too many, I talk like an Irishman, too.
If you're talking to a Welshman, it's bound to be bad news, so you forget the accent. I prefer to associate with happier people. Like corpses.
I was going to suggest that if everone in New Zealand talks like Zoe Bell, I'd nominate that as the accent of choice. But Zoe is, well, Zoe. There's nobody quite like her!
Wow! You've really had a go at all the scrappers, haven't you. You're either very brave or very daft or both. I, myself, might have taken offense but I choose to believe that my accent would sound “affected” rather than “silly” to you, and I’m good with that.
Jokes make sense? BAH!
Maybe you do not see it on your side of the pond, but any actor without an American accent MUST be from Britain. Ok Japanese accents must be from china (often no distinction is made there as well). Hollywood has made us lazy to learn the differences.
Listening to world news is only a slightly better, probably because Americans who listen to world news, LISTEN to world news. Then speakers can be British, Chinese, Middle-eastern or some third world country schooled in England, China, or the middle east. (wow I do not have a very high opinion of what Hollywood has done to my fellow 'Mericans do I :)
I just came across this link the other day that relates directly to what we were talking about. BTW, I didn't know Eddie was on one of your shows!
You're either very brave or very daft or both.
Both, no doubt! But I left off the worst accent of all: northeastern New Jersey. It's impossible for the written word to adequately capture that classic whine.
I'll stop now, if I can. Regional accents are something of a hobby of mine, as a Yankee living in Texas whose best friends here are from Ontario, Louisiana, and Scotland. (And my grad school advisor was Welsh.)
Both, no doubt! But I left off the worst accent of all: northeastern New Jersey. It's impossible for the written word to adequately capture that classic whine.
I'll stop now, if I can. Regional accents are something of a hobby of mine, as a Yankee living in Texas whose best friends here are from Ontario, Louisiana, and Scotland. (And my grad school advisor was Welsh.)
And New Jersey, too? Isn't that where the Sopranos are from (the mafia family, not the singers)? Now you’ve done it!!
Seriously, it sounds like you have some very personal issues (especially with your Welsh grad school advisor). I won’t fan the flame any further. Good luck to you, mate!
Seriously, it sounds like you have some very personal issues (especially with your Welsh grad school advisor).
Heh. Direct quote, when I asked him for thesis advice:
"Well, not to put too fine a point on it, lad, but that's YOUR problem!"Anyway, I'm not sure "issues" is the right word; I'm just easily fascinated.
G'day!
Heh. Direct quote, when I asked him for thesis advice:
"Well, not to put too fine a point on it, lad, but that's YOUR problem!"
Wow! What a wanker! Pardon the expression, but how else can you say it? Not only did you have to deal with the Welsh accent, but from a pompous git as well, not to mention a bit of a lazy article! I’m so sorry, mate.
Wow! What a wanker! Pardon the expression, but how else can you say it? Not only did you have to deal with the Welsh accent, but from a pompous git as well, not to mention a bit of a lazy article! I’m so sorry, mate.Heh. Direct quote, when I asked him for thesis advice:
"Well, not to put too fine a point on it, lad, but that's YOUR problem!"
In his defense, I have many students who want me to write their papers. Usually these are the ones where I have answered many questions from the beginning. I have found it easier to nip it in the bud. Of course not knowing the question I could easily be swayed to the wanker side.
Also in his defense, being ruthless didn't necessarily make him a wanker (in my defense, I needed professorial leverage to get access to needed lab facilities; I didn't want him to write anything). He perceived that I was a bit older and more worldly than the typical grad student, I suppose, so maybe he figured I didn't need any help. Eventually he gave me some useful contacts outside of our department, and I got to know them and got permission to use their facilities, and things worked out quite well that way. At the end of the day, I actually liked him quite a bit. I just wasn't accustomed to being forced to play the equivalent of a continuous poker game with people I'm supposed to be working for.