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It makes no sense to talk about 'The Irish Accent' as a monolithic unit. Just like in England the US and Canada, there is enormous variation in Irish accents - even within that little landmass. Along the East side of the Island, the accents are heavily influenced by where people learned their English from. The SE of Ireland got it's English largely from settlers from the the SW of England, the central East Coast (Dublin area) from the English W. Midlands - Ulster got its English mainly through the Scots. There is also the linguistic legacy of other invaders and settlers, such as the Danes and the Normans - and, of course, elements from the Irish language. The West of Ireland got its English much later, mainly through the established English-speaking Irish population. Western Irish accents are, I think, heavily influenced by the phonology of the local Irish dialects spoken there until recently.
Irish accents, no doubt, played a part in making up some of what we no know as American accents - and 'General American', the 'neutral' American accent (equivalent to 'Received Pronunciation' in England). I suspect a certain amount of influence has also come back the other way. I have heard some young Irish people whose accents, heard in short snatches, can be hard to distinguish from some American accents. There are certain characteristically American phonetic features, such as 'dark L', absent from most Irish accents, that are becoming more common in young Irish accents. But I think a trip to Ireland would quickly dispel any belief that Irish and American accents sound the same.
I met some girls from Dublin, they were well off by their demeanors, and I first thought they were American girls trying to sound less American. Very nice English. Other Irish speak with Irish accent, which is more understandable for foreigners (in many cases) that some impossible English dialects.
I find that the Israeli accent sounds Eastern European (Slavic-esque) while the Palestinian accent sounds Western European (along the lines of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian). And there is a good reason for this but really no historical reason anyone should mistake an Irish accent for ANYTHING else.
I've heard some people say that Irish accents, at times, can be very similar sounding to some American and Canadian accents, and that it often takes them a while when talking to someone to even realize they have an Irish accent at all, until one or two words give it away. I can't believe this, but I'll let you guys answer or share your experiences.
I've also heard some think that Scottish accents, in some way, resemble some of the Canadian sounds that differentiate American from Canadian accents, such as the vowel sounds.
Yes, this is because they are similar. Remember a handful portion of immigrants from Ireland came to North America in the 19th century especially and left a deep influence. I am an American, and I have seen the similarity.
I find the Irish accent to be no way as similar to any American accent. Irish people just sound European. That's it. If anyone really questions on how it's similar to American accents, then you must be confused or something.
I find the Irish accent to be no way as similar to any American accent. Irish people just sound European. That's it. If anyone really questions on how it's similar to American accents, then you must be confused or something.
Most of those are awful. They may sound ok to someone not familiar with Irish accents, but not to someone from Ireland.
I think they best thing to do is look at some of the 'accent tag' videos on Youtube. You'll get an idea on the diversity of Irish accents from people who aren't trying to imitate one.
Disagree! I'm Irish, if you can't laugh at yourself.......
I did note that Toibin is a comedian. His exaggeration underlines the point like a cartoon facial, long nose etc.
While those accent tags you posted are accurate, they in no way represent the full spectrum. I think Toibin does a better job at that, while acknowledging the limitations.
Disagree! I'm Irish, if you can't laugh at yourself.......
I did note that Toibin is a comedian. His exaggeration underlines the point like a cartoon facial, long nose etc.
While those accent tags you posted are accurate, they in no way represent the full spectrum. I think Toibin does a better job at that, while acknowledging the limitations.
I'm Irish too. And it wasn't a case of laughing at yourself, I was pointing out that his accents weren't that good. They sound silly to me.
And there's no way I could post videos to represent every accent or I'd be here all day trying to find videos and posting them.
I've even got a different accent to my Dad and I grew up listening to him! You go 3 miles in any direction from my house and that person will have a different accent to me.
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