Do other countries like the American accent? (moving, teachers)

[BIMBAM]

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

Are you suggesting there aren't any people in foreign countries who are fond of Americans?

If so, he's wrong. You need look no farther then the thread in the Europe forum entitled "Why do the French Hate Americans?" to go get a more nuanced view of foreign attitudes towards America.

[paull805]

God the whole forum has been hijacked by a few Americans filling it up with "everyone hates us" threads. It's getting old, mundane and sad, honestly - get over yourselves.

[Avondrood]

Originally Posted by LindavG

My own accent is a mix of American and British English, I'm sure it sounds terrible to native speakers, lol. It's the result of learning the "correct" British pronunciation at school and learning the American pronunciation through the media. I think a lot of Europeans have that problem

Exactly the same problem I have . School English = British accent, media = American accent. Result: hybrid accent.

[easthome]

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

As an American born in the midwest, being raised to speak in the generic American accent, I have always had a fascination with other accents across the country and the world. Mainly because there are so many different accents across the world based on location, it's interesting.

I've always had quite an admiration for the sound of a good and educated British accent, but I appreciate the common British accent as well. I also confess that when I was younger I always thought British people sounded more intelligent when they spoke, their accent accentuated the words more so, making it sound better, similar to how most people perceive southerners as slow because of the way they talk.

So I've wondered, I know myself and a lot of other Americans like a good British accent, but how do the British feel about American accents? How do other countries feel about American accents?

There are FAR more than two British accents! and they are not even close sounding to each other either!

[Geggo]

I dont think that countries like or dislike accents, rather the people of these countries.

Anyway, if people like American accents or not often seems to depend on whether they were predominantly taught English by teachers who speak American or British accents. If you are used or exposed to American English only you will likely prefer that accent and find the British (or rather English) one strange.

[kevxu]

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

... How do other countries feel about American accents?

I was born and raised in Western N.Y. and lived most of my adult life in Manhattan, NYC. But I find that where I live in Portugal, at least where I live, people don't recognize my accent as American. The usual guesses are, first - you're not English; then either Canadian or Irish.

Puzzles me. My mother and, thus, most of my maternal relatives, was Canadian, but she had no marked accent. And my background is almost completely Irish, though with no close immigrant relatives. So, I find it difficult to accept that Canadian or Irish influences could have filtered down to my speech.

I knew Portuguese who thought Bush II's accent was humorous, but I think it was just such a contrast the the English accents they usually hear.

[kevxu]

Originally Posted by easthome

There are FAR more than two British accents! and they are not even close sounding to each other either!

Are there ever! The English seem to have more distinct regional accents than centipedes have feet.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by LindavG

Oh, I absolutely agree! I thought I was the only one who couldn't stand the Australian accent. I've literally turned documentaries off when I heard the voice-over was Australian. It's the only 'language' in the world I just can't hear for longer than a minute without wanting to punch someone, lol.

The South African accent on the other hand...

That would figure... the SA accent is kind of like how Dutch people speak English...it's unique. Well hopefully we'll never meet, don't want a punch in the face! haha jk Yeah I actually think Americans' infatuation with our accent is a bit odd...we don't get that in Europe.

Here I've seldom heard anyone say they love the American accent, but I've heard some young people using Americanisms like saying 'sher' for sure, or saying 'dude' a lot. I don't like it. I think the only place where the American accent seems really admired is Asia. They often prefer American or Canadian to other English teachers.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Princess Ping

Having traveled extensively and lived outside the US, I can state with certainty that anything American is disliked by the educated. As for the uneducated, they have been scammed enough to distrust Americans tremendously. They hear an American accent and they automatically seek retribution. My advice is to leave your accent home and learn at least enough of the language to be polite and to be able to understand, if not speak, the language.

Having lived and traveled extensively outside the US, I can state with certainty that my Southern US accent has never caused me the slightest problem ANYWHERE in the world. My husband has traveled to and worked in over 40 countries and can report the same success - with his Texas drawl.

Nearly every time someone has asked where we're from and we say "Texas," a big grin breaks out across the person's face and we're off into a conversation. Yes - even with well educated, sophisticated people throughout the world.

I will never "leave my accent at home" because it's part of who I am - and people generally respond positively to me, because I am polite and thoughtful enough to learn some basics of the language of each place I visit.

My advice to you would be to treat Americans exactly the way you would like to be treated.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

Having lived and traveled extensively outside the US, I can state with certainty that my Southern US accent has never caused me the slightest problem ANYWHERE in the world. My husband has traveled to and worked in over 40 countries and can report the same success - with his Texas drawl.

Nearly every time someone has asked where we're from and we say "Texas," a big grin breaks out across the person's face and we're off into a conversation. Yes - even with well educated, sophisticated people throughout the world.

I will never "leave my accent at home" because it's part of who I am - and people generally respond positively to me, because I am polite and thoughtful enough to learn some basics of the language of each place I visit.

My advice to you would be to treat Americans exactly the way you would like to be treated.

Amen to that! I hate it when people purposely try to change or water down their accent to sound more intelligent or because there's a social stigma attached to it.