Do you use British English, American or some different kind of English?

[kabunaru]

Just interested in this. What English dialect do you use for writing and I guess every day life?
Yes, there is some difference between British English and American English (a long article):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences

Even though the English language is not my native language, I have learned British English. I am well aware of Australian English and there is an Australian English option in OS X (click Apple-Shift-: in Safari or TextEdit). So far, I do not see any difference between Australian English and British English.

So, what English dialect do you use? There's many:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_dialects

It's just that British and American are the most common ones.

[r.j.s]

American English, with a hint of Canadian dialect. I grew up in northern Pennsylvania, north of Amish country, which means we were pretty much cut off from the rest of American culture.

[vniow]

Some words look funny without a "u" in them IMO, and having a "z" instead of an "s" in some words (like realise for example) seem to make more phonetic sense to me if I were to write down what I hear coming from my mouth. My accent is, despite being a Californian, is somewhat of a mishmash of several. Almost everyone I've asked about how I sound gives me a different answer (and my friends poke fun at my accent accordingly) and when I write, I use aspects of the dialects which make the most phonetic sense.

That was a weird answer.

[OttawaGuy]

Canadian English;)

[wadejc85]

American English - South-Central Pennsylvania

[CalBoy]

I'm a native Californian, so naturally I use American English. However, my father was born and raised in Rhodesia, and when I was growing up, I picked up many expressions and pronunciations from him, so at times I say words with a very interesting emphasis. :p

[kretzy]

Well being from Australia...

Australian English is essentially the same as British English but I suppose the only thing that really differs is the some of the vernacular and slang.

[EricNau]

I speak the English without the accent; I guess that makes it American English. ;) :p

[OutThere]

American English with touches of a New England accent...fahhhg and lahhhgs and such. :p

[Rodimus Prime]

Well being from Australia...

Australian English is essentially the same as British English but I suppose the only thing that really differs is the some of the vernacular and slang.

It is different. Or at least the accent is clearly different. It sounds a lot like the British accent but enough off to make you have to think about it.

I had a prof from Australia. Biggest reason how I pick up the difference.

Me personally I speak American English with a very slight Texan accent (words here and there) but over all I do not carry any real accent.

[apsterling]

American with a hint of Canadian (cause my parents lived in Buffalo)

So I oo too much.

[PlaceofDis]

american english. i don't see why its ever a big deal though. different regions means different slang/accents even in the same country.

[joepunk]

Wow! I had no idea that we actually do have a unique northwest dialect. Growing up I always thought that an accent was something that other people had. Still do too.

So, I guess I speak Northwest American/Canadian English or something.

[thechidz]

I speak wisconsin english:p new jersey english kind of annoys me;)

[ZiggyPastorius]

This is speaking or writing? Writing, I use British English, but wouldn't the Englishes just be same spoken except for the accent?

So I guess my answer is: I'm American, and I use British English.

[Ntombi]

American English

Dialect: Northeastern

I was raised in the Boston area, but I don't have what non-Bostonians think of as a Boston accent, no "Pahk the cah in Hahvad Yahd," and not Boston Brahman (think Kennedy), but my speech patterns would be recognizable to any northeasterner/New Englander. :)


With all that said, I'm a bit of an Anglophile, and I love all the flavors of English speech patterns, and of those of the UK in general.

[Prof.]

I use US American English;)

There are different forms of American English. i.e. Canadian, US...

[EricNau]

There are different forms of American English. i.e. Canadian, US...
When did we annex Canada? ;)

...Perhaps you were thinking of North American English?

[Prof.]

...Perhaps you were thinking of North American English?
Same difference.:rolleyes::p

[Jaffa Cake]

'British' English here, as for my spoken dialect that would be a Yorkshire one - a mix of East Riding and Hull to be precise. I'm not sure why the dialect link listed Humberside as there is no Humberside dialect, this region covered The East Riding, Hull and part of Lincolnshire, all of which have quite different and distinct ways of speaking.

[Loge]

I use English English, or just English as we tend to call it around here.

[Iscariot]

I grew up surrounded by a bit of Newfoundland English and the Ottawa Valley Twang, but I speak Canadian English.

[pivo6]

American English, like what was used in the movie Fargo.

[iBlue]

I voted other because I'm ALL mixed up. I'm an American but I live in England and so my words and spelling of them are somewhere in the middle of that.

[thechidz]

actually I changed my mind, I speak Olde English... beer that is:p

[skunk]

I voted other because I'm ALL mixed up. I'm an American but I live in England and so my words and spelling of them are somewhere in the middle of that.That would be Azores English, then.

[richard.mac]

asd

[dukebound85]

i speak american

[remmy]

British English


Very annoyed with using Microsoft Office as it is determined to use American English spelling no matter what language I choose. So now using NeoOffice :)

[Schtumple]

British english :D

I loved when me and my mates were in new york, a check out clerk refused to serve us because she couldn't understand our accent, we could bloody understand her....

[millar876]

in written forms I use English (refuse to call it brittish U/K english because it evolved as a language here). However, in speach, I use a mish-mash of Queens English, RP (recieved proninciation or BBC english), and various csots dialects, all with a south west scotland (verging on glaswiegian) accent watered down by time in the forces among mixed colloquial dialects. I've even deciphered some aberdonian phrases in my time up here. those make spell checkers cry

i.e. Fit like, ur ye fine? 'ats ahn awfie fine lukkin we quinie ye goat there. furribits ae fae?

translation; And how are you? Thats an awfully pretty little girl you have there. Where are you from.

and thats the watered down accents, there is a dialect about here reffered to as broad dornoch, and I won't even pretend to understand that.

[cycocelica]

American English with a Pacific Northwest Dialect and some Californian and Texan Dialect thrown in.

[Queso]

English, the default option, with a mix between Cheshire, Hampshire and London on the accent front.

[PowerFullMac]

British English is the only real English.

[Queso]

British English is the only real English.
Technically even British English doesn't exist. English English is distinctly different to Welsh or Scottish English, and even different areas of England have their own dialects.

[fotografica]

American English..With a heavy Boston accent...

[PowerFullMac]

Technically even British English doesn't exist. English English is distinctly different to Welsh or Scottish English, and even different areas of England have their own dialects.

Very true! And you got teenage/chav English (safe, sick, init) :p. What was the first ever English dialect, I wonder?

[skunk]

I was kind of hoping that someone would admit to Pidgin. Nobody from Niugini?

[Peterkro]

I was kind of hoping that someone would admit to Pidgin. Nobody from Niugini?

I'm not from there (obv) but due to a stint in Bougainville can understand and though a bit rusty could speak it. I can't speak any of the 900 other languages of the area.:)

[skunk]

What was the first ever English dialect, I wonder?Presimably it was what they spoke in East Anglia.
"non angeli sed angli, innit?" as St Augustine said.

[Dagless]

The original :cool: on the list at least.

With a Saddleworthian accent, pip pip. Nah it's more a hodgepodge of Yorkshire and Lancashire but I pronounce my T's.

[OllyW]

What was the first ever English dialect, I wonder?

While not the first, they say my local dialect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Country_English#Black_Country_dialect) is one of the last examples of early English still spoken today.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/If_yowm_saft_enuff.jpg

[Tosser]

English with a pronounced danish accent?

(LOL, don't worry, I didn't vote).

[skunk]

The original :cool: on the list at least.

With a Saddleworthian accent, pip pip. Nah it's more a hodgepodge of Yorkshire and Lancashire but I pronounce my T's.

As in "t' mill"?:)

[és:]

i speak american

Doesn't the american[sic] language have any capital letters, dukebound85?

I speak English.

I speak the English with an American accent; I guess that makes it American English. ;) :p

I've fixed that for you! ;)

[Dagless]

i speak american


I wasn't aware american was a language? I thought it was a variation on English, forcing the 2 distinct British and American vartiations on English.

[skunk]

I'm not from there (obv) but due to a stint in Bougainville can understand and though a bit rusty could speak it. I can't speak any of the 900 other languages of the area.:)Over half the languages in the world. Amazing, isn't it?
I had a friend who spent a few years as Chief Librarian in Port Moresby. The tales he could tell, of almost-naked but fully-armed warriors with nose-bones turning up to borrow books on pig-farming. Edgy fun, through and through. :D

[ham_man]

American English, like what was used in the movie Fargo.
I refer to that as Dontchaknow English ;)

And, being that for some reason there isn't an option, I speak Texan.

[mkrishnan]

I predominantly speak Midwestern US English with a few Anglicisms and Canadicisms thrown in from my long line of friends from those places. Over the past several years, however, I've also become fairly proficient in Southern, so if any of y'all need a translator or anything, you give me a call, okay? :)

[Abstract]

This is kind of stupid. The type of English you use depends on where you're from. I'm from Canada. There's no such thing as a proper English accent, so even English spoken with a Hong Kong accent is as English as "American English", and since none of the American accents, slang, etc, can be considered "true" American English, the thread is kind of limiting.

I speak Toronto English, or Southern Ontario English, I suppose.

[Melrose]

I typically don't use the British English words themselves, but spell the British way (ou instead of o, s instead of z, re instead of er, etc).

I don't know why - it's just something I've always done, as long as I can remember..

[redwarrior]

American English here, with a very distinctive southern drawl that everyone in NY noticed when I visited last week!:rolleyes:

[JML42691]

American English with a strong-as-hell Boston accent, and yes, I can pahk my cah in Havahd yahd.

Perfect Boston Accent (YouTube) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbK4cL3QSc0)

Best Boston Accent story (YouTube) NSFW (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9QjX51Erz4)
--yes, that is how I sound (not me)

[iJohnHenry]

Today's program is brought to you by the letter "U".


Eh!! ;)

[Lord Blackadder]

Well being from Australia...

Australian English is essentially the same as British English but I suppose the only thing that really differs is the some of the vernacular and slang.

Having lived with Australian and Kiwi roommates, I think that Australian and New Zealand English is very distinct from British English. For one thing, British English varies pretty heavily between region and class (though the class bit seems less of a factor these days). The Ozzies and Kiwis talk through their noses ;). Just listen when they say Shane Warne's name... SHAAAAAYYYYYNE!

[BoyBach]

I use Microsoft English! :eek: :p

Only kidding, my English is a bastardised version of English mixed with some Welsh; a sort of 'valley speak'.

[kretzy]

Having lived with Australian and Kiwi roommates, I think that Australian and New Zealand English is very distinct from British English. For one thing, British English varies pretty heavily between region and class (though the class bit seems less of a factor these days). The Ozzies and Kiwis talk through their noses ;). Just listen when they say Shane Warne's name... SHAAAAAYYYYYNE!

When I posted, I didn't realise we were discussing accents...I was referring more to grammar, spelling, vocabulary etc. You won't have any arguments from me that the accents are completely different.

It was interesting that when I was in the US a lot of people actually thought I was British. I obviously speak with an Aussie accent but it's a lot less broad than your 'typical' Aussie's.

[oddnendz]

Spoken Language: English -- American variation

Dialect: Southeastern US

Written Language: English American and British variation . . . A teacher commented once on an essay I kept going back and forth between using American and British spellings of words. . .

[Lord Blackadder]

It was interesting that when I was in the US a lot of people actually thought I was British. I obviously speak with an Aussie accent but it's a lot less broad than your 'typical' Aussie's.

My roomate was a rich kid from Sydney. He really cultivated the "Crocodile Dundee" image but we all knew he was a city slicker with an urban accent. :D

[kabunaru]

I speak the English without the accent; I guess that makes it American English. ;) :p

The Americans have the accent. Not the British. ;)
Aussies, I guess are in between. Their accents sounds British but with an American Southern accent mixed.

[Mord]

IRL I speak English English with a subtle blend of assorted sillyness.

I <3 joss whedon english.

[kabunaru]

British English is the only real English.

What can you say about Australian and New Zealand English then?

[BoyBach]

What can you say about Australian and New Zealand English then?


They're fake Englishes, obviously!

[és:]

There's no such thing as a proper English accent

Apart from the English accent, of course.

[bigandy]

Apart from the English accent, of course.

...of which there are many many variations. There is no single "English" accent.

[arkitect]

...of which there are many many variations. There is no single "English" accent.

There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time…

;)

[kabunaru]

...of which there are many many variations. There is no single "English" accent.

I thought Received Pronunciation or "BBC English" is the British standard? :confused:

[PowerFullMac]

I thought Received Pronunciation or "BBC English" is the British standard? :confused:

Different parts of the UK have different dialects.

[kabunaru]

There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time…

;)
You mean Shakespearean accent like this?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89BwSqKfpQU

To me, the Shakespearean accent sounds neither British or American. It sounds like a mix of American and British to me and it sounds very soft to me.

[arkitect]

I thought Received Pronunciation or "BBC English" is the British standard? :confused:

Well listening to the BBC you'd be hard pressed to find anyone still speaking that way… All about "celebrating regional diversity."

Oh and then of course there is that very special standard of English as spoke by Brian Sewell — posher than the Queen… :o

You mean Shakespearean accent like this?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89BwSqKfpQU

To me, the Shakespearean accent sounds neither British or American. It sounds like a mix of American and British to me.

Errm no that is not a good example. ;) Isn't that Franco Zeferelli's early 70's version?

Next you are in London see if they are doing some performances at the Globe performing in a Shakespearian style… you might be surprised. ;)

[bigandy]

There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time…

;)

I know. This comes up every time we have a discussion about English variations.

The written language known as "American English" is closer to Middle English than modern "British English". This is because American English has evolved less than British English in the last few hundred years.

[BoyBach]

There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time…

;)


"Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest,
Ride more than thou goest,
Learn more than thou trowest,
Set less than thou throwest;
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep in-a-door,
And thou shall have more
Than two tens to a score."


Yep, they were all speaking like this when I was in New York. :p

[kabunaru]

This is because American English has evolved less than British English in the last few hundred years.

Also, American English is more Latinised than British English while British English is more French-Norman:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_spelling

[arkitect]

"Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest,
Ride more than thou goest,
Learn more than thou trowest,
Set less than thou throwest;
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep in-a-door,
And thou shall have more
Than two tens to a score."


Yep, they were all speaking like this when I was in New York. :p

:D
If only…

[arkitect]

American English is more Latinised than British English while British English is more French-Norman:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_spelling
Yes, but now you're talking about spelling…

Nothing to do with pronunciation during the English language's evolution.

[TEG]

American with a sprinkle of Canadian, Michiginian (seriously separate form of English), English (to confuse people), with Spanish, French, Japanese, Russian, German, and Hawai'ian thrown in to confuse.

TEG

[Lord Blackadder]

Oh and then of course there is that very special standard of English as spoke by Brian Sewell — posher than the Queen… :o

That man sounds so theatrical and affected...it's incredible. It reminds me of Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes.

[kabunaru]

"Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest,
Ride more than thou goest,
Learn more than thou trowest,
Set less than thou throwest;
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep in-a-door,
And thou shall have more
Than two tens to a score."


Early Modern English or Shakespearean English sounds more romantic and poetic to me than Modern English (either British or American).

[localoid]

As long as you can learn to sing Handel's Messiah with proper diction what does it matter what "brand" of English you normally speak? :p

[arkitect]

As long as you can learn to sing Handel's Messiah with proper diction what does it matter what "brand" of English you normally speak? :p

I guess the appropriate response to that would be…

"Hallelujah!"

[kabunaru]

I guess this could be the standard English accent of modern era:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3G618-hxgA

That's the way that English is supposed to be spoken I guess. :D

[BoyBach]

I guess the appropriate response to that would be…

"Hallelujah!"


Shouldn't that be "Hal-le-lu-juh"? :p

[erickkoch]

I speak California English, which I guess is like American English, we just sprinkle "dude" , "awesome" in the sentences here and there. Sometimes it sounds a bit like Valspeak.

California English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_English)
Valspeak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valspeak)

[northernmunky]

Since we're talking about accents, I thought I might as well share this:

I speak English with an English accent of course and I've been living in Taiwan (Chinese speaking as I'm sure you all know) and the one thing about this country is that 80% of all English teachers here are north American, and not only so people speak American English here they talk like Americans too... Talking to anyone here I often hear 'oh I love your 'British' accent'.. and then having to explain why there's no such thing!

But the worst part of this is, Chinese speaking ears are highly tuned to the 'tones' of Chinese speech meaning if you say something only very slightly wrong in Chinese, your speech becomes indecipherable.

So going into Starbucks shortly after I got here (I can speak the lingo now but before....) and asking for my chosen coffee blend.. the waitress asks 'hot or iced'. I of course reply in an English accent 'hot'. She looks confused and says 'haaht'? Yeah, 'hot' I replied. 'whaat haaht?'. Still confused up until I decided to give up and just reply 'haaht' just so I could get things moving!

Another one just yesterday, I was speaking to a very American speaking Taiwanese and telling her that I 'can't come' to this thing she wanted me to do [as in 'caahnt' in English accent] and again, she didnt understand what I said, I had to reply [EngAcc: 'CAAHNT.. CAN NOT... CAAHNT COME'] she eventually replied 'oh you KEANT, CAN NAAHT come, oh, ok' and she actually put me on hold to take the mick.... unbelievable!

I have plenty more.....

[Lord Blackadder]

Since we're talking about accents, I thought I might as well share this:

Nice to see we're spreading American English around. If I go overseas I waaahnt people to be able to understaaand me. :D

[OscarTheGrouch]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_English

Appalachian English!

American by birth, Southern by the grace of god!

YEE HAW


ok seriously though, this is a pretty accurate article.

[Pixellated]

I use English english :p

[és:]

...of which there are many many variations. There is no single "English" accent.

I'm sorry, but they are all English accents, when talking in international terms. Unless you profess that there are no national accents at all.

There is also a generic English accent.

[Lord Blackadder]

There is also a generic English accent.

I don't think there is, unless maybe the transatlantic accent counts?

[és:]

I don't think there is, unless maybe the transatlantic accent counts?

I think every country (English speaking) has a generic accent. Like Aussie, or American or English.

I mean a perceived English accent isn't Scouse, Cockney or Geordie. The smae with American, it's not Bostonian or New Yorker (sorry, I don't know or am unaware of what you'd call this accents in slang).

[ucfgrad93]

I use American English.

[kabunaru]

I don't think there is, unless maybe the transatlantic accent counts?

Is the Trans-atlantic Accent the South African accent? I heard that South African accent is the most neutral accent of the English language.

[arkitect]

Is the Trans-atlantic Accent the South African accent? I heard that South African accent is the most neutral accent of the English language.

LOL!
:eek::D:D
It is anything but neutral…

[ZiggyPastorius]

Nice to see we're spreading American English around. If I go overseas I waaahnt people to be able to understaaand me. :D

Wait, why is this a good thing? In this day and age, it shouldn't really make much difference...but why, besides our perceived superiority to everyone in the world, is it a better thing for us to spread an incorrect malformation of the English language to somewhere in the world as compared to any other form of it?

[Lord Blackadder]

an incorrect malformation of the English language

There is nothing incorrect about American English - or do you think we should all speak like the Queen? Now you're beginning to sound like the French with their Academy trying to tell them how to speak their own language...:rolleyes:

[ZiggyPastorius]

There is nothing incorrect about American English - or do you think we should all speak like the Queen? Now you're beginning to sound like the French with their Academy trying to tell them how to speak their own language...:rolleyes:

When I say "Incorrect malformation," I was making the point that English English is the closest to original English, and is where the language is originated from (thus "English"), and Americans changed the language a lot for whatever reason. My only question was why it is such a great thing to be spreading American English as compared to other forms of English, when American English is technically less correct, historically. As much as it sounds like it, I do not want to make it sound like I think everyone should spell/speak English English, I was just curious about the American English thing being so great.

I'm American, by the way. Born and raised.

[Lord Blackadder]

Well, by that reasoning we should be spreading Old English - after all, it was the original version of the language upon which everything else is based...

[TEG]

When I say "Incorrect malformation," I was making the point that English English is the closest to original English, and is where the language is originated from (thus "English"), and Americans changed the language a lot for whatever reason. My only question was why it is such a great thing to be spreading American English as compared to other forms of English, when American English is technically less correct, historically. As much as it sounds like it, I do not want to make it sound like I think everyone should spell/speak English English, I was just curious about the American English thing being so great.

I'm American, by the way. Born and raised.

Historically, aside from spelling, which was invented to make teaching easier the US, American is actually closer sounding to historic English than English. This is due to major vowel shifts in England due to influence from Europe and several lower dialects becoming standards (like scouse).

TEG

[ZiggyPastorius]

Well, by that reasoning we should be spreading Old English - after all, it was the original version of the language upon which everything else is based...

Once again: I wasn't saying we should be spreading any other form of English. I was asking why it's a better thing to spread American English than other forms?

Edit: I do think it's a good thing, by the way, for kids to learn a lot about Old English. That's why kids still study works by Shakespeare and many greats of the older ages.

Historically, aside from spelling, which was invented to make teaching easier the US, American is actually closer sounding to historic English than English. This is due to major vowel shifts in England due to influence from Europe and several lower dialects becoming standards (like scouse).

TEG

Fair enough. I don't know that much about language, so you could very well be right. I'm an American who uses British spelling, but I don't care if anyone uses American English - it's not like it's a life-threatening decision for me. I was just a bit weirded out by the statement (which I very well could be misinterpreting, and if I am completely missing, I apologise) that it's a good thing we're spreading American English (as opposed to any form of English/other forms). :)

Michiginian

I lolled when I read this :D I'm from Michigan, and English people like to make fun of my "accent" :(

[BoyBach]

When I say "Incorrect malformation,"...


The beauty of the English language is that it changes, adopts and adds new words. We really don't want to go back to Old English of Anglo-Saxon times; 'The Canterbury Tales' was difficult enough to read, never mind 'Beowulf'!

[OllyW]

The beauty of the English language is that it changes, adopts and adds new words. We really don't want to go back to Old English of Anglo-Saxon times; 'The Canterbury Tales' was difficult enough to read, never mind 'Beowulf'!

Why go back, they are still using it where I live. :D

Ow we spake (http://www.sedgleymanor.com/dictionaries/dialect.html)

[ZiggyPastorius]

The beauty of the English language is that it changes, adopts and adds new words. We really don't want to go back to Old English of Anglo-Saxon times; 'The Canterbury Tales' was difficult enough to read, never mind 'Beowulf'!

Sure, fair enough. I'm all in favour of adding new words and updating the language, and of course, I'm not gung-ho against American English...I just prefer British English as an American, and was curious about Blackadder's statement. That's all :)

Plus, I think there's a sort of great spirit to old English. So much more formal and fancy sounding. :p

[BoyBach]

Why go back, they are still using it where I live. :D

Ow we spake (http://www.sedgleymanor.com/dictionaries/dialect.html)


Reading those pronunciations brought back horrible memories of reading 'The Wife of Bath's Tale' aloud! :eek:

EDIT: God bless YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU

[kabunaru]

Americans changed the language a lot for whatever reason.

Americans simplified and latinised the English language.

As for Old English, sure, let start speaking it. Let it be re-vived. :D

[ZiggyPastorius]

Americans simplified and latinised the English language.

As for Old English, sure, let start speaking it. Let it be re-vived. :D

Are we talking about pronunciation or written? I wouldn't say American English is any simpler, written, than English English unless you're used to American English. There's nothing more complex about an extra "A" or "U" or whatever the case may be if that's how you learn it.

[Kebabselector]

I speak brummie English. Which is what Ozzy Osbourne would sound like without the slurring. Not all of us in Birmingham do as much drugs/beer/spirits.

[OllyW]

EDIT: God bless YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU

That sounds like it's in Welsh to me. :p

[Lord Blackadder]

Once again: I wasn't saying we should be spreading any other form of English. I was asking why it's a better thing to spread American English than other forms?

Edit: I do think it's a good thing, by the way, for kids to learn a lot about Old English. That's why kids still study works by Shakespeare and many greats of the older ages.

I don't think it matters which dialect gets spread around - they are all mutually intelligible.

Shakespeare is actually modern English. Chaucer is Middle English - intelligible in print, but you wouldn't understand it if it was spoken. Beowulf is Old English and seems to be a totally different language at first glance.

I lolled when I read this :D I'm from Michigan, and English people like to make fun of my "accent" :(

I lived in the UP for two years. Now that's a silly accent.

[kabunaru]

Shakespeare is actually modern English.


Shakespeare is actually Early Modern English:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Modern_English

[ZiggyPastorius]

I don't think it matters which dialect gets spread around - they are all mutually intelligible.

Shakespeare is actually modern English. Chaucer is Middle English - intelligible in print, but you wouldn't understand it if it was spoken. Beowulf is Old English and seems to be a totally different language at first glance.



I lived in the UP for two years. Now that's a silly accent.

Yeah, I meant Shakespeare and authors/poets going even farther back. Even though Shakespeare is pretty modern, the comparison between Shakespearean English and modern American English is still pretty extreme.

After all, who else would use a word like "Honorificabilitudinitatibus" :p

My mom's girlfriend is from the UP. I'm not a big fan of the UP/Canadian accent, but, who the hell cares about what I'm a fan of? :D Eh!

[BoyBach]

That sounds like it's in Welsh to me. :p


You may be onto something!

About 2 minutes 10 seconds in, Ali G trying to speak Welsh. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usOg34kG-IA&feature=related) :D (There are people I know who would be offended, whereas I, metaphorically, p*ssed my pants.)

[ZiggyPastorius]

You may be onto something!

About 2 minutes 10 seconds in, Ali G trying to speak Welsh. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usOg34kG-IA&feature=related) :D (There are people I know who would be offended, whereas I, metaphorically, p*ssed my pants.)

Oh, you mean you piddled your knickers? :D:p:D:p

Just kidding! :D

[BoyBach]

Oh, you mean you piddled your knickers? :D:p:D:p

How dare you accuse me of wearing knickers! I'm not some kinky Tory MP! :mad:


Just kidding! :D

:p


EDIT: Watching that Ali G clip reminds of just how funny a character he was when he first arrived on Channel 4.

[Lord Blackadder]

Shakespeare is actually Early Modern English:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Modern_English

True, but my characterization of it as "modern" English as opposed to Middle and Old English is correct. Wikipedia has turned us all into pedants.

[Scepticalscribe]

As I'm Irish, I thought I'd introduce the idea of Hiberno-English to the thread (Joyce, Beckett, Yeats, et all). I speak and write British English, have travelled a lot and have lived and worked in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. However, Irish friends refer to what they say is a pronounced "English" (rather than British) accent, while some of my British friends have alluded to an accent which they have termed "educated Irish".
Regional accents used to be very strong in Ireland (think of the "Norn Iron" conflict, or how Ian Paisley/Gerry Adams speak, to get that flavour), while linguistic scholars cite the far south Munster accent as quite similar (they think) to what 16th-17th century English might have sounded like (yes, we are back to what TEG wrote about historical vowel changes). Class is possibly a somewhat stronger indicator of accent than was the case in earlier times, when geography prevailed.
Cheers.

[kabunaru]

I don't think it matters which dialect gets spread around - they are all mutually intelligible..

Can you understand this?:
http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/us_annualreport.asp

[Blakely028]

What about Scottish English? :rolleyes:

[Lord Blackadder]

Can you understand this?:
http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/us_annualreport.asp

Ok I stand corrected from my previous statement that Wikipedia has turned us into pedants...I should have said that the internet has turned us all into pedants.

[kabunaru]

I should have said that the internet has turned us all into pedants.

What is so bad about being a pedant when it comes to language?

[djellison]

I don't think there is,

I'd challenge you to geographically place my english accent. Some people say Oxford, some people say Hampshire, neither of which I've actually lived in :)

http://www.planetary.org/radio/show/00000251/ (I'm the guest, from a few mins in)

[juanster]

Canadian English;)

same here...

[BoyBach]

I'd challenge you to geographically place my english accent. Some people say Oxford, some people say Hampshire, neither of which I've actually lived in :)

http://www.planetary.org/radio/show/00000251/ (I'm the guest, from a few mins in)


Where is 'Enry 'Iggins when we need 'im? :D

[Jaffa Cake]

I'd challenge you to geographically place my english accent. Some people say Oxford, some people say Hampshire, neither of which I've actually lived in :)There's a bit of a warble on your voice, but I'm going to guess at East Midlands – maybe Nottingham?

[Scepticalscribe]

Thanks to Blakely028 for drawing my attention to a grave omission on my part. Yes, I love Scottish English and the accompanying accent(s). A good friend of mine (Scottish) writes poetry in Scots dialect (I need a translation when reading it). Re accents, are we talking "Taggart" (Mark McManus vintage), or something more like Gordon Brown. Anyway, it sits very pleasantly on the ear. A political philosophy lecturer I had in college was Scottish; subtle, witty, very sardonic and extremely erudite. To this day my understanding of political philosophy has a marked Scottish flavour. Cheers.

[TEG]

I always get upset when Americans talk about the "British Accent". Last time I looked, there were hundreds of accents there. Usually I think they mean the BBC Accent or some other mainstream accent that you can find on American TV (just like Americans think that all Canadians say Eh?). I can only pick out one or two Accents from the Island of Britain, aside from the BBC Accent.

Oh, Michiginian is a cross between Wisconsin/Minnesotan, Mid-western Drawl, Ebonics, and the default Canadian (Toronto) accent. Usually dealing with the about-aboot vowel problem, and changing most 'o' sounds to 'a' sounds. Not to be confused with Michigander, which is mainly on the Upper Peninsula.

TEG

[Lord Blackadder]

I'd challenge you to geographically place my english accent. Some people say Oxford, some people say Hampshire, neither of which I've actually lived in :)

http://www.planetary.org/radio/show/00000251/ (I'm the guest, from a few mins in)

I wouldn't even try - I'm American, so I can only distinguish the really obvious dialects, like Yorkshire or Scouser. Some accents are certainly more generic than others, to be sure. I find that people in the UK are more attuned to placing a person regionally by their accent.

[Legolamb]

I speak Brooklynese. The English I like to hear most is Australian, followed by N.Z, Irish, Welsh, and any other of the Empire's tongues. I hate listening to "NoooYorkers".

[kabunaru]

I speak Brooklynese.

Is your accent is like/is similar to this?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1tGdoA6mCc&feature=related

[Legolamb]

Is your accent is like/is similar to this?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1tGdoA6mCc&feature=related
More like Cyndy Lauper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqf9PuKi63E

Or Barbara Streisand with a cold. For most of my childhood, I couldn't roll a proper "r".

[kabunaru]

More like Cyndy Lauper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqf9PuKi63E


I thought that was an California "Valley Girl" accent at first. :p

Frank Sinatra's New York accent is pretty much "the typical American accent".