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!
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.
I speak the English without the accent; I guess that makes it American English.![]()
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British English is the only real English.
What can you say about Australian and New Zealand English then?
There's no such thing as a proper English accent
Apart from the English accent, of course.
...of which there are many many variations. There is no single "English" accent.
...of which there are many many variations. There is no single "English" accent.
I thought Received Pronunciation or "BBC English" is the British standard?![]()
You mean Shakespearean accent like this?:There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time…
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I thought Received Pronunciation or "BBC English" is the British standard?![]()
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.
There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time
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There is also the theory that the pronunciation/accent of American English is closer to the English spoken in Shakespeare's time
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This is because American English has evolved less than British English in the last few hundred years.
"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.![]()
Yes, but now you're talking about spelling…American English is more Latinised than British English while British English is more French-Norman:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_spelling