So Americans have the accents?

I've always thought it was the rest of the world (typical american attitude, i know) that had accents until i realized we're a giant island. Obviously the correct term is continent but still both africans and europeans were shipped to america. Neither races really speak the native languages from which the ancestors originated from. They came here and now they have their own form of speech. It's almost like playing a world wide game of "telephone" eventually every country will end of with a different version of what was originally said so is it true american's have the accents?What "accent" is the original or standard point?Is there such?I saw on the discovery channel that our native language is ooga-booga cave man talk (as seen with babies) we've changed a lot of things and have much different standards sense the days our our nomadic ancestors.

Even brits are speaking anything close to an original English accent.

u ever heard ofpittburghese its how ppl in the pittsburgh area tlk and we have a few words tht only we say and ways we say stuff tht is unique to this areacornholio157

yeah like "Yeet?" means "Did you eat?" there.. I've been to North Carolina a few times same thing

The US has more accent variations than any other English-speaking nation in the world. Of course we have accents.The_Ish

But is the typical, voice you'd hear from a CNN reporter from the US.. I wish I could use the President as a good example but im sure we all know thats a can of worms, so yeah the typical standard US voice is that an accent.

[QUOTE="The_Ish"]The US has more accent variations than any other English-speaking nation in the world. Of course we have accents.2apture-13ound

But is the typical, voice you'd hear from a CNN reporter from the US.. I wish I could use the President as a good example but im sure we all know thats a can of worms, so yeah the typical standard US voice is that an accent.

Yes, of course. To be specific, the one you're thinking of is the midwestern accent (assuming that when you say "president" you're just being general and don't mean "Geroge W Bush"). Its what most Americans would consider "normal".

Anyway, if you're curious as to what an American accent sounds like the best way is to learn a new language. After getting a feel for how words are supposed to sound in the native tongue you'll hear your accent when you try to speak (especially if you're taking a class since you can hear other people as well). I say that from personal experience. Granted its possible the "accent" I was hearing was just me and everyone else in the class butchering the language, but I think that's as close as you'll get to hearing what your accent sounds like.

If you want proper English, then listen to people who speak Oxford English.

As one comedian said who spoke Oxford English,he doesn't have an accent, that's just what words sound like when pronounced properly.

youve obviously never met anyone from brooklyninyourface_12

I've always thought it was the rest of the world (typical american attitude, i know) that had accents until i realized we're a giant island. Obviously the correct term is continent but still both africans and europeans were shipped to america. Neither races really speak the native languages from which the ancestors originated from. They came here and now they have their own form of speech. It's almost like playing a world wide game of "telephone" eventually every country will end of with a different version of what was originally said so is it true american's have the accents?What "accent" is the original or standard point?Is there such?I saw on the discovery channel that our native language is ooga-booga cave man talk (as seen with babies) we've changed a lot of things and have much different standards sense the days our our nomadic ancestors.

2apture-13ound

I think that you have an accent only when you travel outside your native area. If you go to NYC, YOU have the accent, not them. If someone from NYC goes to your area, they have the accent.

[QUOTE="The_Ish"]The US has more accent variations than any other English-speaking nation in the world. Of course we have accents.2apture-13ound

But is the typical, voice you'd hear from a CNN reporter from the US.. I wish I could use the President as a good example but im sure we all know thats a can of worms, so yeah the typical standard US voice is that an accent.

The thing with the media is that when trying to deliver news or information, they use the most Neutral accent available, and thats part of the reason why so many people on TV have the same accent.

u ever heard ofpittburghese its how ppl in the pittsburgh area tlk and we have a few words tht only we say and ways we say stuff tht is unique to this areacornholio157

there are tons of different accents within America. Obviously we have accents, everyone has accents.quiglythegreat

I live in California, I've heard that it's a very accent neutral part of America, although i've only travelled as far in as Utah.TongHua

I'm pretty sure California invented "prep"

[QUOTE="TongHua"]I live in California, I've heard that it's a very accent neutral part of America, although i've only travelled as far in as Utah.2apture-13ound

I'm pretty sure California invented "prep"

[QUOTE="2apture-13ound"]

I'm pretty sure California invented "prep"

B05T0N

Yeah Americans do, its quite an unattractive accent tooWhicker89

[QUOTE="inyourface_12"]youve obviously never met anyone from brooklynZaeryn

Wat're ya'll tryin ta say?Robbie_IV

[QUOTE="Robbie_IV"]Wat're ya'll tryin ta say?double_decker

No, I'm from outside of Boston, which means I'M A FILTHY BANDWAGONER BLAAARGH.

No, I'm from outside of Boston, which means I'M A FILTHY BANDWAGONER BLAAARGH.

Robbie_IV

There is no American accent really. Unlike most, my main complaint in living in the USA is lack of a unified people or rather, living in a multicultural society. I'd much prefer to be part of a single group inhabitating one land with unified culture than it spread all over. Think about it, there is no such thing as an American really.soulsofblayck

Just yell a lot and I'm sure you'll pass.

Do you know how to speak like the average american? Anybody in the world can do it. Juuuussst quit accenting your pronunciation. Just open the dictionary and say the world exactly as it's written. Don't add letters, don't replace K's with T's,nor R's with W's or whatever.

They really need to get all of those good old boys & gals off of televion because most of us don't speak like that. They are the few among the many.

And I think you areconfusing slang dialectwith accent.

Accent means to amplify, decorate or detail. IfAmerican English was any lazier anymore effortlesswe would be mumbling. It's easy for us to mimic accents because we don't have an accent to interfer with it. People who have accents have trouble mimicing other accents because they habitually speak with another accent. They don'tforce their accent, it's habitual so they can't turn it off.

Do you know how to speak like the average american? Anybody in the world can do it. Juuuussst quit accenting your pronunciation. Just open the dictionary and say the world exactly as it's written. Don't add letters, don't replace K's with T's,nor R's with W's or whatever.

They really need to get all of those good old boys & gals off of televion because most of us don't speak like that. They are the few among the many.

And I think you areconfusing slang dialectwith accent.

Accent means to amplify, decorate or detail. IfAmerican English was any lazier anymore effortlesswe would be mumbling. It's easy for us to mimic accents because we don't have an accent to interfer with it. People who have accents have trouble mimicing other accents because they habitually speak with another accent. They don'tforce their accent, it's habitual so they can't turn it off.

MagnumPI

My friend is from america and we constantly imitate him and he gets so frustrated cause he thinks we sound so fake, do New Zealanders have an accent? cause thats where i live?-The-Master-

Yeah we have an accent. EVERYONE has an accent, you don't realize you do because you only notice them when you aren't familiar with them :wink:

I lived in the US for awhile, and have still retained some of my accent. I get mocked sometimes :evil:

My friend is from america and we constantly imitate him and he gets so frustrated cause he thinks we sound so fake, do New Zealanders have an accent? cause thats where i live?-The-Master-

haha, people in the US thought New Zealand was a made up country when they watched Flight of the Conchords-The-Master-

haha, people in the US thought New Zealand was a made up country when they watched Flight of the Conchords-The-Master-

If you want proper English, then listen to people who speak Oxford English.

As one comedian said who spoke Oxford English,he doesn't have an accent, that's just what words sound like when pronounced properly.

Red-XIII

Supposedly people from the Inverness area of the Scottish Highlands speak the best english, thats why there are so many call centers there.

It's called English. As in, "England." But everybody has accents. Even the Brits probably have over a dozen regional and class-based accents. We've got dozens here in the US.PherdnutChiken

The best accent has to be Welsh. I lol everytime I hear it. :lol: