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pink-o

(4,056 posts)

1. Awesome!

Sat Apr 5, 2014, 08:00 PM

Apr 2014

I spent 5 years in London and the Home Counties, but because I worked at Heathrow I got to hear all sorts of regional accents. It was funny, cuz in the 70's, Brits couldn't imitate a decent Yank accent, but I could do most of theirs. Now, they're quite good and sounding just like me.

One friend told me in order to achieve good American speech, Brits have to project their voices from the backs of their throats--whereas English English comes from the roof of the mouth. So I tried it, going back and forth and damn if it isn't true! Maybe that's why Americans sound raspy as they age (and smoke) but the English never do.

Thanks for that! Bringing back a lot of memories.

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29 replies

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Highlight:

A tour of the British Isles in accents [View all] Major Nikon Apr 2014 OP

Awesome! pink-o Apr 2014 #1

to me, Aussie is a mix of Brit and American Skittles Apr 2014 #4

my Dad was British Jewish BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2014 #6

Blanche, if you're ever in London's East End, you'll be amazed at the Yiddish you hear!! pink-o Apr 2014 #19

I always think there's a bit of cockney in the Aussie accent T_i_B Apr 2014 #7

The Australian accent confounds me. Raffi Ella Apr 2014 #9

I don't quite get it right either Skittles Apr 2014 #11

haha, you know I'm sitting here trying to say No now.... Raffi Ella Apr 2014 #13

I can do the lilt, which they do a lot with the last word of each sentence Skittles Apr 2014 #14

I'm jealous you had British Grandparents! Raffi Ella Apr 2014 #15

aw yeah Skittles Apr 2014 #16

Look at little Skittles! Raffi Ella Apr 2014 #17

Oy! Bare knees in that lovely weather! pink-o Apr 2014 #20

Why aren't you kicking someone? n/t winter is coming Apr 2014 #23

check my hands Skittles Apr 2014 #25

LOL! winter is coming Apr 2014 #26

my brother Glenn Skittles Apr 2014 #28

It's the vowels....replace the long "A" with a long "I" PassingFair Apr 2014 #22

Considering the history of Austrailia, that's hardly surprising. winter is coming Apr 2014 #24

There is a story, possibly an urban myth... LeftishBrit Apr 2014 #27

Brilliant! Thank you. Demoiselle Apr 2014 #2

cool! DLnyc Apr 2014 #3

Really cool....and... pipi_k Apr 2014 #5

Cool. Raffi Ella Apr 2014 #8

He didn't really get the north Wales accent geardaddy Apr 2014 #10

The Liverpool bleed... pink-o Apr 2014 #21

What does he mean, they "sound" a bit drunk pinboy3niner Apr 2014 #12

An excellent tour! kiva Apr 2014 #18

that was genius ! nt steve2470 Apr 2014 #29