Would an American trying to speak British English be rude?

[Chappers]

To our original poster- I think its a great idea to start learning another language. If you wanted to learn Brazilian too - well that would be no skin off my nose either

 

[xsedrinam]

To our original poster- I think its a great idea to start learning another language. If you wanted to learn Brazilian too - well that would be no skin off my nose either

The people from Lisbon will love you for that one.

 

[Queso]

If your struggling with English pronounications, think yourself lucky you're not in Wales. They have place names there like llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, pronounced Clanfair-pwilk-gwingilk-goggerick-kwiern-drobbwy-clanty-silly-o-gogo-gock

Try saying that one after a pint of Robinsons Best

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Now there's an idea. Never mind an 'English' accent – I'd be impressed if the OP can master a Welsh one.

 

[Peterkro]

or indeed New Zealand:
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu

mind you in spite of spending half my life there I've never heard anybody refer to it.

 

[Queso]

or indeed New Zealand:
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu

So that's what happened to all the Welsh vowels. They emigrated south

 

[Peterkro]

Maybe we need to shuffle the two languages together.

 

[Voltes V]

Although I'm an American living in Germany, I was just enchanted by the (real) English language on a recent trip to London. So much so that I want to try to "pick up" British English as it were. Not so much the accent(I cannot try to imitate a British accent without coming off like a jerk) but the British English words and mannerism(over say American English)

Would people care? Or would they just think I'm being a jerk? How can avoid eliciting such opinions?

just be yourself.

 

[Queso]

Maybe we need to shuffle the two languages together.

The mind boggles....

 

[Macky-Mac]

Although I'm an American living in Germany, I was just enchanted by the (real) English language on a recent trip to London. So much so that I want to try to "pick up" British English as it were. Not so much the accent(I cannot try to imitate a British accent without coming off like a jerk) but the British English words and mannerism(over say American English)

Would people care? Or would they just think I'm being a jerk? How can avoid eliciting such opinions?

depends on where you are when you talk that way. If you're in the UK then people probably wont notice because you'll sound like they expect people to sound.....well, that is if you're doing a good job of speaking "British". But if you go back to the USA and start talking that way, especially around people who knew you from before, then people will look at you like you're very very strange indeed

 

[iMeowbot]

Not so much rude as pretentious and fake.

Funny, that. I had to force myself to learn to use the American variety because real English was seen as pretentious here

 

[cslewis]

"I come from Pennsylvania" just makes you sound so American.

But I do!

 

[Nermal]

There is usually a subtle difference implied between have and have got.

I'm not protesting legitimate uses, just redundant ones. My example wasn't the best

 

[®îçhå®?]

The best thing to do (which you probably cnt), is to live in the UK. Most people, when they move to a different country start tyo pick up the local dialect and to an extent, the accent. If not, think of the obvious things, pants are underwear not trousers.

 

[Queso]

If not, think of the obvious things, pants are underwear not trousers.

But if something is "total pants" it means it's rubbish

 

[Applespider]

OH AND IT'S ED-IN-BRUH. NOT EDIN-BURG. ****

Actually it's not. It's ED-IN-BURR-UH. There is a U between the B and the R It's those who call it EDIN-BOE-ROE who make me shudder a little

New Orleans I pronounce as New Orlins although that's likely influenced by having been there and hearing lots of Americans say the name while listening to football coverage.

Pronunciations are tough though - the BBC have a team dedicated to it.

 

[weckart]

I thought it was pronounced EMBRA.

 

[63dot]

I had a friend move to england with his wife and two years later when he came back for a visit he spoke as if he was british. it was like he was born and raised there it was scary and cool at the same time. so no I dont think you would come across as rude.

i found that certain accents tend to stick with people, and a southern accent can do that, too for me

having worked as a gardener and landscaper for many years, i have dealt with a lot of people in landscaping or construction, and most people in the field where i live in california, somehow develop a southern accent as if they were born and raised there...it's kind of uncanny, being that most of my colleagues have never been to the south, but it kind of goes with the territory and culture of the industry where i am

also, i have met plenty of people in the dramatic arts who develop british accents over time, and while it might be put on for many at first, the accent eventually takes a hold on some people and before you know it, they sound like they are from the west end of london (where i spent a semester as a college student)

 

[Applespider]

I thought it was pronounced EMBRA.

Only by those who live in certain parts of the city...

I just recall various teachers at my Edinburgh school reminding us all to pronounce the U

 

[Queso]

Only by those who live in certain parts of the city...

I just recall various teachers at my Edinburgh school reminding us all to pronounce the U

It's pronounced Dunn-ee-dinn according to my Scottish Nationalist ex-housemate Niall