which English Accent do you want to learn (non-native speakers only)?

[SleepyWitch]

this is a poll for non-native speakers of English only. what kind of English accent do you use as a model for your pronunciation? please take the poll

[Niamh]

What accent you like most or prefare to try and speak like?:confused:
I know i'm excluded from this poll but, I'd love to speak like a Kiwi or a Scot.

[Virgil]

You mean my American way of speaking is not the norm? :p Actually i'm not sure I would want any accent other than my current. Although Irish seems very charming.

[SleepyWitch]

What accent you like most or prefare to try and speak like?:confused:
I know i'm excluded from this poll but, I'd love to speak like a Kiwi or a Scot.

yep, you are excluded from the poll. but your story would be interesting all the same. why would you like to speak like a Kiwi or a Scot?

[Niamh]

Because i just love the way the talk. I think the NewZealand Accent is a sweet accent and the Scottish just makes me melt!:p

[Pensive]

I like my English accent which is associated to my home-country (and I speak English in quite the same way as I do my native language, I am quite sure native English speakers would find my spoken English probably very funny :p But I think it's good. With pauses and an Urdu accent oh and it's sooo funny if you speak English in a Punjabi accent too)

[Gadget Girl]

I like the British accent than the American English, but I should learn American English because that is what I need to master because I'm not even British!!! Even though, I'm not an American either, but my country is fond of hearing American English and sometimes there will be confusion if I speak otherwise.

[Virgil]

I like my English accent which is associated to my home-country (and I speak English in quite the same way as I do my native language, I am quite sure native English speakers would find my spoken English probably very funny :p But I think it's good. With pauses and an Urdu accent oh and it's sooo funny if you speak English in a Punjabi accent too)
I would love to hear you speak Pensy. Pakistani and Indians I work with speak so fast. I imagine you quite a chatterbox. ;)

[SleepyWitch]

I like my English accent which is associated to my home-country (and I speak English in quite the same way as I do my native language, I am quite sure native English speakers would find my spoken English probably very funny :p But I think it's good. With pauses and an Urdu accent oh and it's sooo funny if you speak English in a Punjabi accent too)

you could have voted for "another national variety" then, seeing as English is an official language in Pk :)

[Virgil]

this is a poll for non-native speakers of English only. what kind of English accent do you use as a model for your pronunciation? please take the poll

What did you vote for Sleepy? I bet you want to speak just like Patrick Stewart. :p

[SleepyWitch]

What did you vote for Sleepy? I bet you want to speak just like Patrick Stewart. :p

hahahhaha :) haven't voted yet... not sure.. definitely not ultra-conservative RP.. something like Patrick Stewart's accent would be nice too (his original one is Yorkshire by the way!!!), but I wouldn't mind a tinge of Coventry, even though it RP speakers/speakers from other places would probably find it 'uneducated' or ugly.

[Virgil]

hahahhaha :) haven't voted yet... not sure.. definitely not ultra-conservative RP.. something like Patrick Stewart's accent would be nice too (his original one is Yorkshire by the way!!!), but I wouldn't mind a tinge of Coventry, even though it RP speakers/speakers from other places would probably find it 'uneducated' or ugly.

What does "RP" stand for? I'm not familiar with it.

[SleepyWitch]

What does "RP" stand for? I'm not familiar with it.

received pronunciation. it's another term for "BBC English" or "Queen's English"

[kratsayra]

I'm excluded from the poll too. Oh well. I'm quite curious about the results of this poll/your research Sleepy.

Since I can't vote, I will just give some anecdotes from when I studied abroad in Cameroon 4 years ago.

When I was in Cameroon, which has both English and French speakers in it, the French speakers were very excited to talk to me in English. They wanted to speak "real" English (although I am an American, so I dunno), as opposed to the English that the Anglophone Cameroonians spoke.

AND my host father, who was Francophone, spoke English with this really extreme British accent, it was CRAZY. Really, very bizarre, especially considering that there are people who speak English in Cameroon, and they don't normally sound like that. I almost burst out laughing the first time I heard him speak English, because normally I spoke to him in French.

[manolia]

I voted for scottish and irish accents. They are so cute ;)

[SleepyWitch]

AND my host father, who was Francophone, spoke English with this really extreme British accent, it was CRAZY. Really, very bizarre, especially considering that there are people who speak English in Cameroon, and they don't normally sound like that. I almost burst out laughing the first time I heard him speak English, because normally I spoke to him in French.
:) it's amazing he could do that, though, seeing as French was his primary language!
hehe, I heard a lecture by an Indian professor from South Africa at a conference last week and he joked "Only her majesty and me pronounce 'goose' this way" and it was such an apt remark because he spoke the most conservative RP you could imagine (except he couldn't do a "th".. it came out as a "t" like with many Indians)

[Niamh]

I voted for scottish and irish accents. They are so cute ;)

:p :D

[TheFifthElement]

I'm also excluded from voting, but if I could pick a favourite British accent, it would probably be a 'nice' North Eastern accent, not broad Geordie but with Geordie tones. For those who have seen the series 'Rome', like the accent of Titus Pulo, soft and nice.

That's not in your poll Sleepy ;)

[Divine Comedy]

I already speak american as my job demands so. But I would love to learn to speak english he way the Italians do. When I was young and studied ina convent there were these nns who spoke english the italian way and it kind of impressed me. So would love to speak that way but not always though ;)

[Koa]

Definitely British.
I love RP but I don't know if I would like to speak it, it's considered a bit posh...
Mancunian :D Well mild Mancunian... I'm getting at it somehow, I think I picked up a vague intonation in my clealrly non-native accent. :D

[Themis]

this is a poll for non-native speakers of English only. what kind of English accent do you use as a model for your pronunciation? please take the poll

British English, absolutely.
I love the way the English speak. Also, because sometimes they pronounce things just like we would in German.

[SleepyWitch]

British English, absolutely.
I love the way the English speak. Also, because sometimes they pronounce things just like we would in German.

they do? why did I waste 13 years trying to learn their accent then? ;)

[Nossa]

British accent for speaking, and I'd LOVE to know how to understand the Scottish accent..lmao...it seems to be another language when I hear it :lol:

People usually tell me that I have an almost perfect American accent when I speak with it, but I always loved the British accent, so I'd love to learn how to talk fluently with it :D

[Virgil]

British accent for speaking, and I'd LOVE to know how to understand the Scottish accent..lmao...it seems to be another language when I hear it :lol:

People usually tell me that I have an almost perfect American accent when I speak with it, but I always loved the British accent, so I'd love to learn how to talk fluently with it :D

I'm curious how you learned english Nossa. Is english commonly spoken in Egypt? There is a fellow i have worked with here who is from Egpyt and he has a strong accent. I assume it's a middle eastern accent. I think he told me he immigrated to the US when in his 20's. He's probably close to 50 now.

[Nossa]

I'm curious how you learned english Nossa. Is english commonly spoken in Egypt? There is a fellow i have worked with here who is from Egpyt and he has a strong accent. I assume it's a middle eastern accent. I think he told me he immigrated to the US when in his 20's. He's probably close to 50 now.

I have NO idea how I learned English. I mean, to begin with, I studied in an Arabic school, there, you don't normaly learn strong English, just a 7th or 8th grade level English, not like the English schools we have. Right now, when I think about it, I can't really decide how I learned it actually, I assume I have a good listening skills, cuz I used to listen and watch lots of movies, songs and news broadcasts in English..so any word I hear, I can say right away in the same manner it was said in the movie, song or news. Giving to the fact that I statred listening and understanding these stuff since I was in the 4th grade, I think I heard lots of stuff..lol
And English is an important language everywhere, but not many people know how to speak it correctly in Egypt, cuz our educational system doesn't really help anyone to learn or speak Englisg properly.

[Bakiryu]

I wish I sounded Bristish ( or Scottish like david tennant or rose or that girl from DLM!)

I love British accent. they sound so cute. I'm the kind of person who'd just ask some one out because of an accent :blush:


Yay for brits!

[Laindessiel]

Well, it's really hard copying British accent but I find their accent pleasing to the ear. They sound very authoritative. I dunno.

I don't use any accent as a model for my pronunciation. As long as my the way I speak doesn't disturb with what I'm trying to say (meaning it's clear and it sounds well), I can live with that. :)

[Laindessiel]

I already speak american as my job demands so. But I would love to learn to speak english he way the Italians do. When I was young and studied ina convent there were these nns who spoke english the italian way and it kind of impressed me. So would love to speak that way but not always though ;)

Adorable, when Italians speak English! Their pauses and "uhs" make me smile; and whenever they stop to think of the next word to say. :D :D :D Cute!

(Ahem, uncle Virg...:p)

[LadyWentworth]

I love British accent

So do I!! :D

Alas, I do not speak that way naturally. :( Of course, if I did, I probably wouldn't care that I did! I know that I certainly don't care that I have the accent I speak with now!

I actually can do a decent English accent. I will say that my Cockney is pretty good, though. :D What I want to perfect is the Scottish accent. I absolutely love it!

[Themis]

they do? why did I waste 13 years trying to learn their accent then? ;)

How would I know?

And yes, they do indeed.

[Virgil]

Adorable, when Italians speak English! Their pauses and "uhs" make me smile; and whenever they stop to think of the next word to say. :D :D :D Cute!

(Ahem, uncle Virg...:p)

:lol: :lol: I don't have an Italian accent Lainy. But most of my older relatives do. Nice to see you by the way.

[Bakiryu]

So do I!! :D

Alas, I do not speak that way naturally. :( Of course, if I did, I probably wouldn't care that I did! I know that I certainly don't care that I have the accent I speak with now!

I actually can do a decent English accent. I will say that my Cockney is pretty good, though. :D What I want to perfect is the Scottish accent. I absolutely love it!

I wish I could sound Scottish. Or American. My people think I'm French or foreigner, Americans agree.

I sound cool when I speak German tho. Since I already overpronounce my Rs and Ss.

[Laindessiel]

:lol: :lol: I don't have an Italian accent Lainy. But most of my older relatives do. Nice to see you by the way.

Hehe. I just wished, Uncle Virg...I just wished..:) I missed everyone. I pop in and out. :p

[SleepyWitch]

I sound cool when I speak German tho. Since I already overpronounce my Rs and Ss.

i suppose your first language was Spanish? yeah, that's the one good thing about a southern German accent: Spanish Rs are easy for us.

[aabbcc]

Irish, damn. I would die to have that accent. :(

So far the best I can produce is wannabe-British. Most of non-native speakers of English need some time to detect me as non-native when I speak with this 'accent', but to native speakers it is just too obvious. Sweet British English I lost already and had as a child (English is not my native language, but when I was very young I was instructed by native speakers).

[Lily Adams]

You mean my American way of speaking is not the norm? :p

:lol: Speak American, you people! Cuz we're AMERICA!!!! (EFF YEAH!!! XD)

My Biology teacher said something similar when we saw this British documentary in class. He said, "Okay, you guys, this guy doesn't speak American so it will be hard to understand him." XD I'm...sorry...that was just too funny to pass up. :lol:

Apparently where I live we don't have any accent at all. I mess around with English accents (like Cockney, ha ha) sometimes.

[SleepyWitch]

:lol: Speak American, you people! Cuz we're AMERICA!!!! (EFF YEAH!!! XD)

My Biology teacher said something similar when we saw this British documentary in class. He said, "Okay, you guys, this guy doesn't speak American so it will be hard to understand him." XD I'm...sorry...that was just too funny to pass up. :lol:

Apparently where I live we don't have any accent at all. I mess around with English accents (like Cockney, ha ha) sometimes.

everyone's got an accent. only if it's the standard one it might not always be perceived as one.
if you went to Britain, would people be able to tell you're American?

where do you live?

[cactus]

ummm....

I learnt English in Australia (so presumably I have an Australian accent).. but I love British novels.. so I pick up words like sod off and bloody hell and the British inflection for such dialogues... and then I watch American films and engross in words like trash can (as oppose to rubbish bin), food to go (takeaway food).... so what does that make me? A bit of a salad mix, I suppose....:D

[SleepyWitch]

yeah, I love "trash can" too. it's sounds like a swear word :D

[mazHur]

I like the Japanese (English )accent ,,,slow and straight,,,,and easy to fall in love with

[Virgil]

I like the Japanese (English )accent ,,,slow and straight,,,,and easy to fall in love with

Especially if she's a sexy looking girl. :D But then who listens for the accent. ;)

[SleepyWitch]

Especially if she's a sexy looking girl. :D But then who listens for the accent. ;)

grrrrrrrrr, men (no they don't listen to the accent and that's what's wrong with them :) )

[symphony]

Ah thats the catch. Girls dont need an accent to attract guys! And after being asked out twice at a time yesterday, i decided girls dont even need to be beautiful any more! :D

Oh and I'll appreciate any, ANY, accent in me! :( My friends tell me i dont speak in any known accent. And I'll love to hear something different. My humble compatriots tend to speak in a Bangladeshi accent, and i dont even have that!
Duh!

[mazHur]

Hi virgil

Love is a language, an accent in itself, ain't it?

ari gato guzai mashta !

[mazHur]

Ah thats the catch. Girls dont need an accent to attract guys! And after being asked out twice at a time yesterday, i decided girls dont even need to be beautiful any more! :D

Oh and I'll appreciate any, ANY, accent in me! :( My friends tell me i dont speak in any known accent. And I'll love to hear something different. My humble compatriots tend to speak in a Bangladeshi accent, and i dont even have that!
Duh!

hey, what do you mean, sona bhashi ! Dyo think women are just ''meat on hooves''?

[cactus]

Hi virgil

Love is a language, an accent in itself, ain't it?

ari gato guzai mashta !

Yes love speaks to all and in all languages... but I don't.. so I would really appreciate it if the last sentence be translated :D , muchas gracias... merci...cám ơn...

[mazHur]

translation: thank you very much or merci beaucoup or to be a little eastern, dhanebad!,
I hope it's Okay now?

[symphony]

hey, what do you mean, sona bhashi ! Dyo think women are just ''meat on hooves''?
To the guys i met, apparently! :lol:

[mazHur]

I pity those guys....who don't even realize that the 'status' of a woman is holier than holy ! (lol)

[Virgil]

Hi virgil

Love is a language, an accent in itself, ain't it?

ari gato guzai mashta !

Yes. :) Is that Japanese by the way? And what does it mean?

[mazHur]

yes, it's japanese and means 'thank you very much''!
merci

[Virgil]

yes, it's japanese and means 'thank you very much''!
merci

Ah, and are your Japanese? I can't tell by your lit net name. And more important yet, are you a pretty Japanese girl? ;)

[mazHur]

no, I am not Japanese at all.

What made you think I am a girl? Oh, no, I don't want to be one!
I am happily defending myself ( and attacking !) with my little grey moustache !

[Virgil]

no, I am not Japanese at all.

What made you think I am a girl? Oh, no, I don't want to be one!
I am happily defending myself ( and attacking !) with my little grey moustache !

Hahaha, no I don't know anything about you. And your forum name is ambiguous. So my imagination naturally went to pretty Japanese girl. :D I guess we both have grey mustaches.

[Lily Adams]

everyone's got an accent. only if it's the standard one it might not always be perceived as one.
if you went to Britain, would people be able to tell you're American?

where do you live?

I live in California, on the west coast of the U.S.

Yeah, you're right. But I mean, compared to other Americans, we're not supposed to. So yeah, the "standard" part you're talking about. I guess we're "standard". I'm not saying we do or don't, though, because I don't know what others think about the way we speak. The sterotype would be: "Duuuuudddddeee! Like totally radical!" :lol:

Actually I heard that people think Californians have a nasaly tone to their voices.

Do we?

[mazHur]

Hi
so long you can express yourself without 'giving a hard time o the listener'' I think all accents are okay. I have seen some American speak very clean English or American as they call it, as well as, some British accent their spoken Enlish awfully. True, it is easy to judge a person from the accent of his spoken English,,,,just like you can judge a dance from the movements of a dancer!
Am I rightly standing in the queue?

[symphony]

I pity those guys....who don't even realize that the 'status' of a woman is holier than holy ! (lol)

Just know that u're not the only one sympathizing, i'm with u! ;)

[symphony]

Actually I heard that people think Californians have a nasaly tone to their voices.

Do we?

Positive, I think.
*listens to Anthony Kiedis singing....*
And if u do, I looooove nasal voices! :D

[cactus]

yes, it's japanese and means 'thank you very much''!
merci

I love Japanese men, if they are anything like Katsumoto/Ken Watanabe (from The Last Samurai)...gosh!... (hypersalivating)...
:ladysman: :brow: ....sorry.. will mop up the mess people...

Actually, I find all men who are true gentlemen charming and attractive regardless of their accent...but they are a declining species...I think.....

[mazHur]

same holds good for women, doesn't it? But, never mind. soon we all would be having clones of our choicest accent and manners! LOL

[Bakiryu]

i suppose your first language was Spanish? yeah, that's the one good thing about a southern German accent: Spanish Rs are easy for us.

Yeah, German does sound cool when you're a Spanish speaker and vice versa. I'd be so cool if I could fake the accent.

Cute German people...(Oh well, a girl can dream :p)

[mazHur]

language is not a caged bird
to be judged by its accentuations
the poor caged bird only knows to coo
the accents of her every shriek
are intonations of freedom

[lili student]

I want to learn "queen's english" for many resons :

first, it is easier, beautiful, and soft.

second, I learned the American accent, and I want to learn this accent.

finally, this accent is the original one.

these are the reasons to learn this accent. If I learn it, I feel myself like a high class british family.