To those from the UK: Your thoughts on American accents...

auriond · Thu 03/12/2009 00:19:22

Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Wed 02/12/2009 23:14:58
Darth i'm fairly sure (as ironic as it is) that you are using 'ignorant' in the wrong context.

I didn't read Darth's comment as taking ignorant to mean to ignore. The waiter was ignorant because he conflated Darth with the Americans that he disliked, to the point that he wouldn't talk to him simply because of his accent. That shows ignorance because he couldn't or couldn't be bothered to differentiate between different Americans. To him all Americans were the same. Isn't that similar to the attitude that you say Americans have?

Personally I'm not so bothered by accents as I am by attitude. Maybe certain accents tend to carry with them certain attitudes, either by pure accident of sounding like an attitude or by the fact that the accent comes from a certain culture and history. Okay, maybe I'm not using the word attitude correctly here, but you know. It's like how British accents lend themselves better to sounding haughty than, say, Mexican accents. You just need to look at the accents in movies and how they are used to see how this works.

Calin Leafshade · Thu 03/12/2009 00:21:32

Quote from: auriond on Thu 03/12/2009 00:19:22
Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Wed 02/12/2009 23:14:58
Darth i'm fairly sure (as ironic as it is) that you are using 'ignorant' in the wrong context.

I didn't read Darth's comment as taking ignorant to mean to ignore. The waiter was ignorant because he conflated Darth with the Americans that he disliked, to the point that he wouldn't talk to him simply because of his accent. That shows ignorance because he couldn't or couldn't be bothered to differentiate between different Americans. To him all Americans were the same. Isn't that similar to the attitude that you say Americans have?

I guess that makes sense, I apologise if i misunderstood Darth,

The only reason i said that is because that word very very often misused.

Lufia · Thu 03/12/2009 00:25:10

Just wanted to chirp in to say that if you're travelling through France with any flag sewn to your backpack, you're carrying a gigantic "obnoxious" tag around with you. That's the main stereotype about Americans around here, "loud and obnoxious" (and fat).

I don't really care about accents.

Darth Mandarb · Thu 03/12/2009 00:30:24

Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Wed 02/12/2009 23:14:58Darth i'm fairly sure (as ironic as it is) that you are using 'ignorant' in the wrong context.

Ignorant doesnt mean you ignore someone or something. It means you arent aware of something.

Someone cant be "ignorant to you" and if someone ignores you they arent being ignorant.. they are being rude

If you're referring to my story of the waiter ignoring me I was not calling him ignorant 'cause he was ignoring me, I was calling him ignorant because he was treating me rudely because I'm an American. He didn't know me, didn't know what I was like, etc. That is ignorant behavior. It was just coincidence that his ignorance stemmed from ignoring me

(which has now been pointed out during the time I was posting this!)

But still ... I think broadly accusing all Americans of being ignorant of the outside world (the stereo-typing) is a bit ironic as it shows a lack of knowledge and/or understanding of American culture and her people. ** shrugs **

Calin Leafshade · Thu 03/12/2009 00:34:56

I think i frequently said i wasnt branding ALL americans in that way.

But darth, 50% of your population rejects one of the most evidence supported theories in the history of mankind saying there is "no evidence for it"

In what way is that NOT ignorant?

Darth Mandarb · Thu 03/12/2009 00:45:07

Just to be clear, I don't think Americans are perfect (VERY far from it!). And yes I think denying evolution (if that's what you are referencing) is extremely close-minded.

The very last thing I want to do is bring religion into this thread as it'll go even more off-topic

Calin Leafshade · Thu 03/12/2009 00:55:51

I also think that the UK can be quite guilty of this.

I think it stems from a country believing they are better than they actually are. the idea that "we are the greatest nation in the world!" is dangerous and breeds complacency.

America has a higher infant mortality rate than cuba and britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in europe.

we are massive economies.. we should be better than this.

EDIT: sorry i have thread-jacked a little havent i.

monkey0506 · Thu 03/12/2009 01:11:38

Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Thu 03/12/2009 00:34:56But darth, 50% of your population rejects one of the most evidence supported theories in the history of mankind saying there is "no evidence for it"

In what way is that NOT ignorant?

At the risk of destroying an otherwise perfectly good thread, I just wanted to point out that as ignorant as it would be to say that there is no supporting evidence for the theory of evolution, it is still equally ignorant to suggest that there is no scientific merit behind the theory of creation.

I emphasize "theory" in both cases because from a purely scientific standpoint that's exactly what they both are. Legitimately plausible scientific theories.

That said, yes, let's not turn this into religious debate.

Sam. · Thu 03/12/2009 01:21:05

It is much easier to judge people on an individual basis. Trying to define what is wrong with whole countries/populations/accents/regions is too difficult as there is rarely any great denominators, apart from the lowest.

I know some sexy Americans, and I include Darth in that bracket, but I also know some stupid ones. I know some sexy British people, and I include myself in that bracket, but I also know some stupid ones.

Maybe that could be the new lowest common denominator: Some people are sexy, some are stupid.

Calin Leafshade · Thu 03/12/2009 01:22:52

Quote from: Zooty on Thu 03/12/2009 01:21:05
Maybe that could be the new lowest common denominator: Some people are sexy, some are stupid.

I'm willing to go with that as a thesis.

Grundislav · Thu 03/12/2009 01:46:28

Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Thu 03/12/2009 00:55:51
America has a higher infant mortality rate than cuba and britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in europe.

I just needed to comment briefly on this statement, and I in no way mean to derail this thread, but the reason Cuba has such a "low" infant mortality rate is because the Castro government manipulates statistics.

If a baby dies within the first 24 hours of its life or is stillborn, it's never documented as having been born at all, simply for the purpose of keeping infant mortality rates low. Also, Cuba is has the third highest abortion rate out of 60 countries surveyed, and the government actively encourages women who have a high risk of giving birth to mentally or physically disabled children to abort.

Anyway, to be on topic, I agree with Zooty: it's better to deal with people on an individual basis. Also, Zooty fits into the sexy bracket.

Sam. · Thu 03/12/2009 01:56:00

Is the Castro Govt. the jerkiest government in the world?
It's a tough contest, Iran are close at their heels.

Out of curiosity, why do the figures get massaged in this way? To look good? Is the infant mortality rate Cuba's biggest problem?

Stupot · Thu 03/12/2009 02:02:24

I quite like a well-spoken American accent... Frasier Crane, to me, has the perfect American accent... although, he has a great voice to go with it, so maybe I'm just judging his voice...

I generally don't really like the southern accent... but it can be damn sexy when coming out of a hot chick... but then again... I might just be judging the hotness of the chick (and even though she's getting on a bit, I could listen to Dolly Parton's voice all day).

I can't really tell the different between, say, Florida and California, although I'm sure there is a massive difference.

And the New York accent is fascinating... I love how such a small area in such a large country has such a very unique accent when the rest of the country is pretty much the same (to my untrained ear).

I hate to admit, I can't tell the difference between a Canadian and an American accent either (except when the Canadian's start speaking French... that's always a clue).

I like how the dialect spoken by French-Canadian's is called Canadian-French...

Matti · Thu 03/12/2009 02:03:29

Sorry, Grundislav, but where did you get that 'info'?

Cuba is an open country (it's not that cubans can't talk about the problems in Cuba), it's a fact that their health care system is rather good and even the CIA states that Cuba has an infant mortality rate of 7.24 / 1000 (while the USA have a rate of 8.38). Sorry for going even more off-topic.

Grundislav · Thu 03/12/2009 02:09:16

Zooty, no! Keep it on topic!

Mr Matti: I've done research on the subject, and I'm close to the source. I know this sounds vague and unfounded, but I don't want to derail the thread any further. PM me if you want to discuss it further.

Frasier Crane? I always thought Kelsey Grammer was trying to sound British in his accent, or at least like people did back in movies from the 40s and 50s. I forget what that accent is called.

Ponch · Thu 03/12/2009 06:05:21

Quote from: Grundislav on Thu 03/12/2009 02:09:16
I always thought Kelsey Grammer was trying to sound British in his accent, or at least like people did back in movies from the 40s and 50s. I forget what that accent is called.

It's called the Mid-Atlantic accent. It was the officially posh American accent of old Hollywood films.

Also, what do I have to do to get on the sexy list?

- Ponch

Clarvalon · Thu 03/12/2009 09:05:53

Quote from: markbilly on Wed 02/12/2009 22:54:07
Have you ever met anyone from around the Birmingham area in the UK?

Sexy and suave kind of breaks now there...

Breaks down and explodes. I try to keep my prejudices to a quiet minimum, but a broad Birmingham/Dudley accent is far more simpering and grating than any American accent I've heard. My partner and I are at a loss as to why we moved here in the first place; there are places minutes away that are very reminiscent of City 17.

Perhaps life would be more enjoyable if I kept a crowbar closer to hand.

Stupot · Thu 03/12/2009 09:18:38

The Brummie accent does get a lot of stick, but unfortunately it's not without reason... it is pretty unpleasant to the ears...

As for Geordies, I quite like the Newcastle accent in general, but why to Geordie women have to SQWARRRK like that when they talk? It hurts!

The Bedminster Incident · Thu 03/12/2009 11:53:00

Right. Back to the initial question. ;-)

Here in Germany, what you learn in school is quite mixed up. In the first years, you'll learn British English, and British English only. Then, you switch to American English (and again, American English only) for a year or two, after which both the pupil and his/her teacher are allowed to choose which one to use, as long as they stick with it. That said, you don't learn genuine accents at all (which is why most Germans still speak with a typical German accent).

Most people will be heavily biased afterwards. If they've been to either country, they'll prefer the corresponding accents (and despise the others). Curiously, this is not true for people having been to Australia or New Zealand, they'll still choose between British and American accents (although most of those (read: everyone of them I know personally) would go for British). Other influences play a certain role, too. In the vicinity of Darmstadt, for example, you'll find quite a few Americans (they've still got army grounds there), so most of them (again: everyone I know personally) prefer American accents and are either completely neutral or negative when it comes to British accents. Same goes for people whose families have any kind of connection to either country ("My mum was a hippy in the 60s" does count pro-American, "the Americans are bringing their crap (McDonald's etc.) over here!" pro-British.). Again, the rules for people having been to any of those countries apply, curiously even stronger (dismissing the other accents as "not proper English").

Speaking for myself, I've been to Bristol (the UK one) quite a lot, and I have many very positive memories connected to that place, so naturally, I prefer British accents. (Funny thing is, I've developed a bit of a London-ish accent, although I've been there only twice.) I don't mind American accents though, I just don't think they sound as pleasant as British ones (at least around where I've been).

Although I do quite like how what I believe to be an urban New-York-ish accent turns "person" into "poison." That's your Freud right there, lads.

/tbi

P.S.: And yes, "skÃ¥nskan" does suck. :-P

ThreeOhFour · Thu 03/12/2009 11:58:55

Quote from: Stupot on Thu 03/12/2009 09:18:38
The Brummie accent does get a lot of stick, but unfortunately it's not without reason... it is pretty unpleasant to the ears...

As for Geordies, I quite like the Newcastle accent in general, but why to Geordie women have to SQWARRRK like that when they talk? It hurts!

Haha I used to work with a guy from there, and we used to mock him by calling him "MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK" all the time - imitating his horrid ex-girlfriend (naturally).

It was the most amusing thing ever. Except I think we may have destroyed his will to live after about 2 weeks of it non stop.

Incidentally, I love the range of British accents, and do so enjoy walking around saying "off to pub with lads" and "watchin roogby leeaague, shoutin' at telly" in my terrible attempt at an impersonation.