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Most Brits are also pretty familiar with Australian (and American accents) of course, so I'm pretty skeptical that any Brit could confuse the two.
Well, it's happened. You can be as skeptical as you'd like but I'm not making this up. Why would I? I was as surprised as you. In fact, when I first moved here, I'd heard similar reports from people on the UK Yankee website and I was skeptical too - I thought they must have been fluke occurrences. And then it happened to me. And again. And again, and again, and again!
Yes I don't know anyone who couldn't tell the difference between an American & an Australian accent! Those that couldn't must be a few sandwiches short...
The English are no better with foreign accents. I have a General American accent and since I've lived here in the UK, I've been mistaken for Australian, Irish, even Scottish! Canadian too, of course, but that's a given since there is little to no different between General American and most Canadian accents. Granted, I have picked up some of the intonations from around here so my accent is no longer strictly American - I guess that's what throws some people off. But I was mistaken for Australian and Irish before my speech had even begun to change too so that doesn't excuse everyone.
I have a midwest, specifically Michigan, accent. I've been asked once or twice if I was Irish, but usually get Canadian or American. I've been here 12 years and of course have the vocabulary and put the stress on a different syllable than I used to, and my hub says my 'O's are rounder and I'm much less nasal.
I was impressed when I sat next to a Scottish woman on a plane once and after a wee chat she asked if I was from Canada or the Great Lakes area. Spot on!
Well, it's happened. You can be as skeptical as you'd like but I'm not making this up. Why would I? I was as surprised as you. In fact, when I first moved here, I'd heard similar reports from people on the UK Yankee website and I was skeptical too - I thought they must have been fluke occurrences. And then it happened to me. And again. And again, and again, and again!
I've heard a lot of Americans say there were asked if they were Irish, Scottish, Australian, New Zealand....just about anywhere.
And then it happened to me. And again. And again, and again, and again!
Now I'm skeptical! So it's happened to you over 4 times even though 90% of the british population watch American movies, tv shows, news etc nearly everyday of their lives?
Now I'm skeptical! So it's happened to you over 4 times even though 90% of the british population watch American movies, tv shows, news etc nearly everyday of their lives?
I know of many it's happened to as well. Like PA2UK I've been on expat forums and it's happened to many. I've been asked a couple of times if I was Irish.
Must just be me, but I never thought Brits would muddle up they two accents especially. Our nearest neighbours, and the dominant accent of the worlds media. Maybe because I'm of Irish descent and I watch a lot of American independent films where you hear a lot of the American regional accents.
Must just be me, but I never thought Brits would muddle up they two accents especially. Our nearest neighbours, and the dominant accent of the worlds media. Maybe because I'm of Irish descent and I watch a lot of American independent films where you hear a lot of the American regional accents.
Probably because Americans tend to speak too fast so non-Americans can't quite catch everything they've said. Might sound garbled which could mean a different accent?
I usually forget that I don't sound like everybody else here until someone points out that I'm American or a wee kid stops and stares. Small town so most of the clerks in stores, at the gym, or on the bus have heard me. Plus there's quite a few Americans here who stayed behind when the US navy left.
Well, American accents sound absolutely zilch like those accents.
That is correct, however, there are many people in the UK who don't listen very well. We just speak as we normally do, and bam, some eejit asks if we are Aussie!
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