British English Sounds Sexiest [Archive]

arp

2006-02-12, 10:40 AM

(from Japan news)
British English sounds sexiest for Japanese: poll
Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 06:54 EST

TOKYO — Which English accent do Japanese find the sexiest? In a poll of over 2,000 Japanese people conducted by eigoTown.com last month, the answer was clear: British English.

EigoTown.com, a portal site for learners of English, conducted the poll on its eigoTown website, called "Which English do you think has the sexiest accent?" and collected a total of 2,350 ballots. First place was British English (50%), followed by American English (16%), Irish English (13%), Canadian English (12%), Australian English (5%) and New Zealand English (4%).

New Zealand English 4%. I bet PaulH has got a sexy voice.

I love it when he talks dirty to me baaaaaa. :')

Ed Ob

2006-02-12, 11:00 AM

I'm picturing a bevvy of J-girls friggin themselves stupid over imported Emmerdale DVD's. "It's right bloody nippy up on't top o' those t'hills, yer can tell 'em".

person

2006-02-12, 11:51 AM

Can't really speak to the "sexy" part, but...

I will say I find a British accent sounds rather...educated (even when the person to whom the accent belongs is not particularly so!). It doesn't matter what someone's saying; it just sounds so much more...intelligent. However, I can't say that I can always clearly distinguish an Aussie or Kiwi accent from a British one. Part of this may have to do with my own stupidity; however, most of the Aussies or Kiwis I know have at least one British parent. Of those people, most have said they were taught British English.

It's funny how an accent can make such a big difference. I'm from the suburbs of Chicago (though I do not talk like the stereotypically blue-collar Chicagoan...nothing wrong with that though). When I was younger, we used to go down South a lot (TN and NC). If you're familiar with a Southern accent, to a "Northerner", it can often sound...slow, sloppy, uneducated, etc. Often, people would say to me, "She sure talks real good" (in that quintessentially Southern way). As a young, smartass teenager, I would always just smirk.

For good or ill, our accent can make us sound educated (or not) and, as pointed out above, sexy (or not?). I'm well aware that as a "yank" I'll never sound nearly as educated (or apparently sexy...based on the above "study") compared to a British person. Oh well...

Good thing I'm not a Kiwi though ;) (That was for Paulh and his maybe sexy/maybe not voice)

Minderbinder

2006-02-12, 12:27 PM

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 12:31 PM

As for NZ English, I doubt that more than 5% of English learners even know what it sounds like.

I wun sum fush 'n' chups...

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 12:33 PM

diva

2006-02-12, 12:34 PM

As for NZ English, I doubt that more than 5% of English learners even know what it sounds like.

A poofier version of Australian?

I'm amazed that so many Japanese claim to like British English as in all my sorry years out here very few Japanese have picked up on my plummy educated tones as being British. Everybdy assumes I am an American until told otherwise.

Myth has it that USA girls are far more likely to be talked into bed by a Brit accent than any other nationality.

Is it true?

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 12:35 PM

A poofier version of Australian?

I'm amazed that so many Japanese claim to like British English as in all my sorry years out here very few Japanese have picked up on my plummy educated tones as being British. Everybdy assumes I am an American until told othwerwise.

Myth has it that USA girls are far more likely to be talked into bed by a Brit accent than any other nationality.

Is it true?

Or Irish! That goes down a treat over in Seppo land.

diva

2006-02-12, 12:38 PM

Seriously though, I have often wondered by the Brit expats here seem to get the most gorgeous J-girls hanging off their arms even when some of them have been the biggest social rejects that the fair land of Albion has ever produced.

Oh Christ.....not the 'ugly gaijin-beautiful J-girl' myth again.

Could somebody tell me the part of Tokyo where I can see these mythical couples? All I ever see (in regards to apparent mixed-nationality couples) are people who seem to look similar,vis-a-vis attractiveness.

starrats

2006-02-12, 01:22 PM

(from Japan news)
British English sounds sexiest for Japanese: poll
Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 06:54 EST

TOKYO — Which English accent do Japanese find the sexiest? In a poll of over 2,000 Japanese people conducted by eigoTown.com last month, the answer was clear: British English.

EigoTown.com, a portal site for learners of English, conducted the poll on its eigoTown website, called "Which English do you think has the sexiest accent?" and collected a total of 2,350 ballots. First place was British English (50%), followed by American English (16%), Irish English (13%), Canadian English (12%), Australian English (5%) and New Zealand English (4%).
i did vote that poll for british english.:)

actually i wasn't sure about *sexy* part, but i like airy(?) aspirated sounds british english has. Blair's speech comparing with Bush's, gives me an impression that british english sounds elegant.:o as my ears are more familiar with american accent, such a formal speech in british englsih (received pronuncation) sounds also 堅い (hard??).

person

2006-02-12, 01:34 PM

Funny to hear an American talking about non-rhotic accents (Southern) sounding uneducated when the opposite is true for British English, which also has rhotic and non-rhotic dialects. I think it speaks volumes more about predjudice than it does about which accent naturally sounds “better”. The only exposure most foreigners have to Australian accents is Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter, so they're hardly likely to vote for it unless they have a fetish for outdoorsy types. As for NZ English, I doubt that more than 5% of English learners even know what it sounds like.

Yes, I trust it has a lot to do with prejudices. Hence, based on where I was born and raised, I think the way I do. In terms of Southern/Northern (if I can bring it down to that for just a moment), Northerners tend (TEND) to view Southerners as very...laid back/relaxed (perhaps to the point of lazy?), rather friendly, some may say "backward" (what is "forward" though remains to be seen), etc. Some of this has to do with language. In fact, I've read some articles in the last couple of years talking about this very thing. Kids in the South are being "trained" to maybe not lose their accent, but be able to turn it off/on when needed. Further, accent (or the fake us of one -- trying to be a "good 'ol boy") cost someone a gubernatorial (I think) race.

On the flipside, Southerners tend to view Northerners as...a little high-strung, formal (if you can even imagine an American accent...or anything American for that matter as formal), and...well, as I was often told, "we talk real good" (I laugh).

I've heard from JP people that they find the Southern accent very...soothing, friendly...comfortable. This surprises me considering even I, on occasion, have a hard time understanding what a Southerner is saying, assuming he/she has a heavy Southern "drawl".

For whatever reason, I think many Americans have this perception of the Southern dialect. Perhaps it's not fair, and for most, not even accurate. However, I guess it's prevalent enough that even Southerners themselves are trying to do away with it (or at least diminish it). In some ways, that's sort of sad. I mean, is the goal for all of us to sound alike?

As I may have mentioned before, I have a Korean friend. He was born and raised in Daegu until he went to uni in Seoul. He's been there (Seoul) ever since (he's now 36). In business, he's conscious not to sound like a "country boy" so he makes a concerted effort NOT to use speak...well, I guess naturally would be the best word. Daegu is southern South Korea; and as you know, Seoul is rather far North. Somewhat similar to the situation in the U.S.

person

2006-02-12, 01:39 PM

i did vote that poll for british english.:)

actually i wasn't sure about *sexy* part, but i like airy(?) aspirated sounds british english has. Blair's speech comparing with Bush's, gives me an impression that british english sounds elegant.:o as my ears are more familiar with american accent, such a formal speech in british englsih (received pronuncation) sounds also 堅い (hard??).

Well, let's not use Bush for comparison. I mean, if ever there was a LESS eloquent speaker out there, I'm hard-pressed to imagine him/her.

I doubt this has much (though perhaps something) to do with being a Texan. To me, he seems like he gets frustrated when speaking so he stammers. Perhaps something to do with what's coming out of his mouth.

Of course, by his own admission, he's not the most intellectually gifted person. While academic work is not necessarily an indication of intelligence, I think these two measures for him correspond rather closely.

aha yes

2006-02-12, 02:23 PM

When I was younger, we used to go down South a lot (TN and NC). If you're familiar with a Southern accent, to a "Northerner", it can often sound...slow, sloppy, uneducated, etc. Often, people would say to me, "She sure talks real good" (in that quintessentially Southern way). As a young, smartass teenager, I would always just smirk.
Oh Person, slow and uneducated, granted, but sloppy? How can it be sloppy when every vowel is so cadenced, every syllable given twice the attention as in other dialects?

BTW "You talk real good" is called Southern hospitality. The subtext is, "Thank the Lord I don't talk through my nose like that." :p

As for the accent diminishing, I guess I'm old school South, but while I have heard of some small-scale accent-training programs in Southern cities with an influx of non-Southerners (namely Charlotte and Atlanta), especially when the newcomers get into the local BOEs, I'm not familiar with any significant trend to do away with it intentionally.

If anything, I'd say TV, accessible pop culture, and a larger non-Southern population is flattening the accent, and all you have to do is check out some of the research being carried out in regional universities to see that not a few people are concerned with preserving it against the tide.

PS Ever notice George W is the only one in the Bush family who doesn't speak with a Massachusetts accent? That's not a Southern accent he speaks; it's a dumbass poser accent.

aha yes

2006-02-12, 02:24 PM

Or Irish! That goes down a treat over in Seppo land.
It goes down a treat cuz nobody can understand WTF you're saying. When it comes to Eyrish fuktards, incomprehensibility is the only thing that's sexy.

person

2006-02-12, 02:46 PM

Oh Person, slow and uneducated, granted, but sloppy? How can it be sloppy when every vowel is so cadenced, every syllable given twice the attention as in other dialects?

Yes, yes -- I know what you are saying (I think). Perhaps sloppy isn't the best word...perhaps not clearly articulated would be better? Yes, I know each sound is basically drawn out...sometimes excessively :) However, in terms of clear articulation (keeping in mind, I'm not an expert on this so my choice of terminology may be incorrect), I can't say that I hear it. The clearest (or not so) example of that would be..ya'll. I understand it's just shortening things. However, to many (perhaps those with a Northern ear?), it's sounds...sloppy...lazy if you will.

Now, as I've said, I'm well aware these are inaccurate stereotypes for the vast majority of Southerners. However, some people (perhaps me?) think this way. I spent enough time down South to know my thinking is incorrect. Yet, for many people not familiar with the South/Southerners, the image of the "backward" South, good 'ol boys, etc. exists.

As we both pointed out, it works both ways though. I'm quite certain your average Southerner would prefer not to sound like...one of me (a Northerner...city folk, whatever choice description they would bestow on me).

Quite frankly, I think one of the most egregious-sounding accents is the one my uncle sports. Born and bred in the city ("the" city is Chicago, of course), and being a blue-collar working, Harley Davidson driving, gun club member toting...(the list goes on) person, he puts that horrific "ka" in Chicago...sometimes even sounds like "car". Ugh.

It should also be noted -- When I went down South, I went WAY DOWN South. I spent a lot of time in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge as well as Western NC (Cherokee, etc.). When I was visiting people on Grandfather Mtn. (NC), I was shocked to see how many of them...looked alike and shared the same family name. This isn't a joke; it's fact. This was the mid-80s, but, even then, there were places with no electricity and/or indoor plumbing. Life is just different in some parts of the South. Some of it has to do with poverty; but not always. It's just a different mentality. In some ways, life IS much more relaxed. I mean, some people aren't doing that much. Not too much to worry about if work isn't a concern.

My experiences may well have been...atypical.

*My family had a friend in NC. Whenever he pronounced my grandfather's name (Anthony), he would always say "Ant knee". This is what I mean by...sloppy...unarticulated (clear or otherwise). He was good fun to listen to though...if only for laughs :)

Ed Ob

2006-02-12, 02:47 PM

"Seth, gedown off that bloody tractor,yool av sum buggers eye oot wi them wellies on"

aha yes

2006-02-12, 04:11 PM

When I went down South, I went WAY DOWN South. I spent a lot of time in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge as well as Western NC (Cherokee, etc.). When I was visiting people on Grandfather Mtn. (NC), I was shocked to see how many of them...looked alike and shared the same family name. This isn't a joke; it's fact.
A fact it is, and quite natural given the circumstances. I guess anywhere in the world which is relatively isolated, that is, without much demographic change over time, has a concentration of particular families/clans. I also guess it only looks strange to someone who has grown up in a dense, diverse, highly mobile environment and forgets that half or more of the world's population don't live the same way.

This was the mid-80s, but, even then, there were places with no electricity and/or indoor plumbing. Life is just different in some parts of the South. Some of it has to do with poverty; but not always. It's just a different mentality. In some ways, life IS much more relaxed. I mean, some people aren't doing that much. Not too much to worry about if work isn't a concern.
Even today, you can find a spot or two without electricity and running water in Western NC, but those are really exceptions to the rule – a few clans who have a mountaintop to themselves and would rather not have anything to do with the modern world. Generally, even poor people there aren't missing basic utilities these days. You know, the book Cold Mountain is set in that region – even mentions Grandfather Mtn. by name – yet the director took the filming to Eastern Europe reportedly because he couldn't find enough panoramas in the area unmarked by development and power lines.

PS Relaxing? Farming a hillside for a living makes teaching uni look like a cake walk.

PPS Somebody feel free to drag this thread out of hicksville and back onto the topic of sexy Brits. :)

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 05:39 PM

It goes down a treat cuz nobody can understand WTF you're saying. When it comes to Eyrish fuktards, incomprehensibility is the only thing that's sexy.

The same Eyrish fuktards who account for about 50% of your caucasian population through their descendants. Maybe that's why so many seppo politicians are incomprehensible?

thickmick

2006-02-12, 05:50 PM

British English Sounds Sexiest

not sure ,but when I was in America some women did deem to be intoxicated at times by my tones ,which I found hard to believe .
The area I come from was voted the most popular accent ,ignoring clipped English'lady DI ,educated irish welsh and scottish.(this was a poll carried out in Britain)

thickmick

2006-02-12, 05:50 PM

Personally I like the American south. .

person

2006-02-12, 07:11 PM

PPS Somebody feel free to drag this thread out of hicksville and back onto the topic of sexy Brits. :)

Yes, yes -- Oh, those sexy Brits...OK, back on topic :)

As for Cold Mountain -- I just watched the movie. I have the book here...have yet to get to it though. Hopefully soon...

[Btw -- You should have gleaned from my posts/PMs that I wouldn't use the term "hicksville". As I said, though I can't wholly control my perceptions, I have positive memories from time spent down South (or not so down South as you say). Quite interesting the things you've shared.]

Catch ya'll later ;)

aha yes

2006-02-12, 10:10 PM

The same Eyrish fuktards who account for about 50% of your caucasian population through their descendants.
No, not the same. The ones in the US are Eyrish seppos. The fuktards are the ones who missed the boat cuz they couldn't find their way out of the potato patch.

aha yes

2006-02-12, 10:14 PM

Btw -- You should have gleaned from my posts/PMs that I wouldn't use the term "hicksville". As I said, though I can't wholly control my perceptions, I have positive memories from time spent down South...
Oh no, I didn't mean to suggest that you're the kind of Person who would deride the South – it's just that there really is a town around Grandfather Mtn. called Hicksville. ;)

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 10:35 PM

No, not the same. The ones in the US are Eyrish seppos. The fuktards are the ones who missed the boat cuz they couldn't find their way out of the potato patch.

Nice... btw, I think ___ has a 'c' in it, as in "aha yes is an offensive ______."

aha yes

2006-02-12, 10:39 PM

Nice... btw, I think ___ has a 'c' in it, as in "aha yes is an offensive ______."
Hahahahahaahaa!!! Sankokujin, you think I'M offensive?!

Hhahahahaahah!!

Guess I should take that as a compliment.

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 10:46 PM

aha yes

2006-02-12, 10:50 PM

When can I expect my banning order then? You seem to be 'the one' who arbitrarily decides who gets to stay and who has to leave around here, so perhaps you'd be so kind as to tip me off just before it happens and I can say my goodbyes and get my things together.

After all, it is YOUR board...
Start blowing your kisses then.

Bon Voyage!

*chu*

PS Seriously, didn't you say this board is a joke anyway? Why do you choose to stay?

thickmick

2006-02-12, 10:52 PM

(from Japan news)
I love it when he talks dirty to me baaaaaa. :')
coming from a welshman thats understandable .

gabrielle

2006-02-12, 11:00 PM

how about Asian English ???

thickmick

2006-02-12, 11:03 PM

how about Asian English ???
hon kon english dats de best ,very smoos ,styrish

gabby R U serious ?

agnosto

2006-02-12, 11:04 PM

agnosto

2006-02-12, 11:06 PM

Personally I like the American south. .

wah than kee kind suh.

sankokujin

2006-02-12, 11:17 PM

Not a fair comparison; please don't judge us all by that social retard better known as the President.

Fair point. Rather than just being a question of accent, it really does depend on the individual speaking. Sure, America has people like Bush who just grate on the ears, but then England has people like David Beckham who put me to sleep the moment they open their mouths.

Some American accents are the very definition of 'sexy'. How about Jack Nicholson, especially in his younger days? Remember the way he delivered that great line in The Shining when he was smashing the door down with that mad look in his eyes: "Hi honey, I'm home!!!" Can you imagine ANY Brit being able to make insanity sound that cool?

thickmick

2006-02-12, 11:24 PM

Fair poin: "Hi honey, I'm home!!!" Can you imagine ANY Brit being able to make insanity sound that cool?

R U serious ? Daniel day lewis for one robert carlyle ,mike baldwin ,ken dodd ken barlow .
and Mr .Blobby

Zap!You'reFrozen

2006-02-13, 12:20 AM

12% voted for Canadian English? I wonder which accent these people had in mind? Probably not Newfoundland...

Buddy dere is on'a inside fer some fine tinkin' wit' a tacker fer d'gulley, eh byes?

Grumpy Pants

2006-02-13, 01:34 AM

TOKYO ― Which English accent do Japanese find the sexiest? In a poll of over 2,000 Japanese people conducted by eigoTown.com last month, the answer was clear: British English.What an interesting poll, considering the majority of people here can't even tell the difference between a Nigerian and a New Yorker.

Grumpy Pants

2006-02-13, 02:09 AM

Or Irish! That goes down a treat over in Seppo land.Not if you're a fat ___.

The same Eyrish fuktards who account for about 50% of your caucasian population through their descendants.Not quite. The population of Americans claiming German descent is almost double that of Irish (according to US census data). I happen to be from the latter group. However, I once had an arrogant Irish prick tell me I'm not Irish.

He started whining about how the McSeppos jumped ship during the famine. So I asked him if I'd be vindicated back in the old-country as my family waited till the 1920's to make the big move. He said, maybe, but I still wasn't Irish. I said, yeah, my culture is American, but my DNA is Irish.

Not good enough for this creep. He still couldn't comprehend it.

He was a decent looking guy, and he had some girls at work who were jockin' the accent, so this pumped his ego up even more...He told me, "everyone in America wants to be Irish!"

He started acting like a tough guy, but one time he came into work crying about how he got robbed at the bus stop. I laughed and another guy told him to go back home. He quieted down after that.....stupid chump.

tom.svg

2006-02-13, 03:42 AM

Well, let's not use Bush for comparison. I mean, if ever there was a LESS eloquent speaker out there, I'm hard-pressed to imagine him/her.

I doubt this has much (though perhaps something) to do with being a Texan. To me, he seems like he gets frustrated when speaking so he stammers. Perhaps something to do with what's coming out of his mouth.

Of course, by his own admission, he's not the most intellectually gifted person. While academic work is not necessarily an indication of intelligence, I think these two measures for him correspond rather closely.

Do you know that George Bush is dyslexic? Perhaps this would explain his frustration while speaking and the stammering. I’ve heard that he avoids auto cues, and tends to deliver his speeches from his head.

Booker

2006-02-13, 05:01 AM

british english is quite sexy, i agree. my english, on the other hand, is strange. or so i'm told. a scottish woman told me i speak english like an italian person that's fluent in english. what the hell does that mean?

tom.svg

2006-02-13, 07:36 AM

Some American accents are the very definition of 'sexy'. How about Jack Nicholson, especially in his younger days? Remember the way he delivered that great line in The Shining when he was smashing the door down with that mad look in his eyes: "Hi honey, I'm home!!!" Can you imagine ANY Brit being able to make insanity sound that cool?

No, I couldn't. I find certain American Southern accents (such as Bill Clinton's) particularly cool.

agnosto

2006-02-13, 08:14 AM

What an interesting poll, considering the majority of people here can't even tell the difference between a Nigerian and a New Yorker.

LOL touche'

My friend from NYC (African American) was always asked by Japanese people what part of Africa he came from. When he spoke, they would ask him if he speaks English.

heh. comedy.

agnosto

2006-02-13, 08:18 AM

As I may have mentioned before, I have a Korean friend. He was born and raised in Daegu until he went to uni in Seoul. He's been there (Seoul) ever since (he's now 36). In business, he's conscious not to sound like a "country boy" so he makes a concerted effort NOT to use speak...well, I guess naturally would be the best word. Daegu is southern South Korea; and as you know, Seoul is rather far North. Somewhat similar to the situation in the U.S.

I lived in Daegu for 2 years and in Seoul for 2 years while studying Korean throughout. I can speak some Daegu dialect as well. Daegu people are known to be loud and obnoxious when they speak (generally speaking) and Seoulites are seen as soft speakers. Especially Daegu men have a reputation for being "chon-nom" (country boys with a insulting connotation) because even when they talk about the weather, it sounds like they're having an argument. :-)

thickmick

2006-02-13, 08:18 AM

[QUOTE=Grumpy Pants]Not quite. I happen to be from the latter group. However, I once had an arrogant Irish prick tell me I'm not Irish.

Hers an Arrogant english prick telling you the same you are american ,why thr F...k would u want to be associated with drunks and terrorists ?

Do english descendants saythey english americans?

Anyway you certainly haave the stupidity part off Pat

agnosto

2006-02-13, 08:21 AM

Do you know that George Bush is dyslexic? Perhaps this would explain his frustration while speaking and the stammering. I’ve heard that he avoids auto cues, and tends to deliver his speeches from his head.

Yeah, I've heard that.

Ronald Reagan used to carry cue cards with inane little bits of random information on them. His staff did everything short of a cavity search before each speech to try and get this little tidbits away from him.

agnosto

2006-02-13, 08:23 AM

No, I couldn't. I find certain American Southern accents (such as Bill Clinton's) particularly cool.

We of the southern states do not recognize Arkansas as being affiliated with us in any way.

person

2006-02-13, 10:03 AM

Do you know that George Bush is dyslexic? Perhaps this would explain his frustration while speaking and the stammering. I’ve heard that he avoids auto cues, and tends to deliver his speeches from his head.

Well...there appears to be lots of empty space up there so...I'm sure he can find room to put those words in his head :)

On a serious note, thank you for giving another reason as to why he's such a crappy speaker. If true (and probably it is), it helps explain some of it. I have a sinking suspicion it does not explain it all away though.

arp

2006-02-13, 11:02 AM

With regards to Bush. I think it's his face which looks stupid.

If you close your eyes or hear him on the radio, he doesn't sound half as bad.

With regards the OP. It's a bit of fun, isn't it.

But as Ed Ob rightly points out,

"Seth, gedown off that bloody tractor,yool av sum buggers eye oot wi them wellies on"

the average Japanese person wouldn't be able to understand a word of any of the regional British accents and dialects.

diva

2006-02-13, 11:54 AM

British English Sounds Sexiest
The area I come from was voted the most popular accent ,ignoring clipped English'lady DI ,educated irish welsh and scottish.(this was a poll carried out in Britain)

uhhh....so you came 5th then?

West Country?

Ed Ob

2006-02-13, 12:26 PM

With regards the OP. It's a bit of fun, isn't it.

But as Ed Ob rightly points out,

the average Japanese person wouldn't be able to understand a word of any of the regional British accents and dialects.

Yes, that was the point I was trying to make, albeit in a rather childish manner. I once taught a class on accents to a group of advanced level students. They were stunned by the variety and differences in England alone. All they had learned/heard previously were standard, received forms. It's probably this standard British accent (as spoken by, say, Orlando Bloom or Keira Knightley - damn sexy!) that Japanese people voted for.
I think surveys like this are only "a bit of fun" and shouldn't be taken too seriously at all. I'm surprised and disappointed by the direction this thread has taken. I mean, it isn't as if a voice/accent is a fair reflection of the individuals sexual prowess (or, most of the time, intelligence), is it? I personally think Mick Jagger sounds like a doped-up retard, but he's had more sexual partners than most of us could dream of having.

diva

2006-02-13, 12:32 PM

Let's be brutally honest.

Very few Japanese people can tell the difference between British and USA accents...

So the poll is really asking 'Who is the sexiest'?

And of course, the Brits were going to beat the wobble-thighed North Americans by a landslide, as the results showed.

cutyourhair

2006-02-13, 03:04 PM

In regards to the OP

It`s a shame they did not actually inculde dialects into the poll.
The Japanese tendency to lump things into irrespective boxes misses an opportunity yet again.

Васи

2006-02-13, 03:27 PM

What a stupid poll :)))) and so many stupid people to answer it?!

starrats

2006-02-13, 03:51 PM

What a stupid poll :)))) and so many stupid people to answer it?!
yep, i was stupid enough to vote it!!!:D

Stone-Cold Soba

2006-02-13, 03:53 PM

The Japanese tendency to lump things into irrespective boxes misses an opportunity yet again.
Idle comments about the British accent being sexy (or otherwise) are tolerable but it's absurd to conduct a survey with one answer covering a variety including (in no particular order) Geordie, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scouse, Mancunian, Brummie, Welsh, Somerset, Cornish, Cockney, Norfolk, Skidby, Yorkshire, Northern-Irish, Snobbish, ...

I suppose it's similar for the other country flavours of English.

Soba

Ed Ob

2006-02-13, 03:58 PM

Idle comments about the British accent being sexy (or otherwise) are tolerable but it's absurd to conduct a survey with one answer covering a variety including (in no particular order) Geordie, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scouse, Mancunian, Brummie, Welsh, Somerset, Cornish, Cockney, Norfolk, Skidby, Yorkshire, Northern-Irish, Snobbish, ...

Soba
Just for the record, the correct order would begin with Mancunian and end with scouse.

Yodogawa

2006-02-13, 04:44 PM

Idle comments about the British accent being sexy (or otherwise) are tolerable but it's absurd to conduct a survey with one answer covering a variety including (in no particular order) Geordie, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scouse, Mancunian, Brummie, Welsh, Somerset, Cornish, Cockney, Norfolk, Skidby, Yorkshire, Northern-Irish, Snobbish, ...

I suppose it's similar for the other country flavours of English.

Soba

I thought Edinburgh and Glasgow were cities in Scotland not British accents.

The north-south divide! Brings back happy memories of living in the UK.

arp

2006-02-13, 05:29 PM

I thought Edinburgh and Glasgow were cities in Scotland not British accents.

The north-south divide! Brings back happy memories of living in the UK.

Yuh reet and yu nor there bonny lad.

Stone-Cold Soba

2006-02-13, 11:17 PM

I thought Edinburgh and Glasgow were cities in Scotland not British accents.
They are indeed cities in Scotland but I used the city names as adjectives to describe accents.

Soba

Grumpy Pants

2006-02-14, 01:25 AM

Hers an Arrogant english prick telling you the same you are american ,why thr F...k would u want to be associated with drunks and terrorists ?

Do english descendants saythey english americans?

Anyway you certainly haave the stupidity part off PatHey, that was pretty clever!

I'm amazed at the variety of accents coming from such a small island. Yours is a Tardlish dialect, am I correct? Uncontrollable muscle spasms while typing can sometimes be mistaken for Tardlish, so I just want to be sure.

Did you mean to say "English Americans" instead of "english descendents?" It's not clear if you're talking about English descendents in Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. Next time please say, "English descendents who were born in America and of American citizenship," if it's too difficult to say, "English Americans." I know how some Tards hate shortcuts.

Anyway, when English descendents who were born in America and of American citizenship are asked their ethnic background, they say, "English." Or sometimes, "English and German." Or sometimes even, "English, German, and Filipino." Get it?

Let me know if it's still not clear....cretin.

kurogane

2006-02-14, 05:08 AM

And for some reason, why is that Poms from Reading are always complete tossers??!!

Coz dere from Reading, Stoopid.

Good railroad, though. I bought it once, you know. Then my brother took it form me.

I forgave him and moved on.

Ed Ob

2006-02-14, 08:11 AM

So what IS the sexiest British accent?
I can't decide whether it's Dudley west country or Somerset twang.

Stone-Cold Soba

2006-02-14, 10:24 AM

So what IS the sexiest British accent?
I can't decide whether it's Dudley west country or Somerset twang.
Anyone who says Essex shall be escorted away for psychiatric treatment.

agnosto

2006-02-14, 11:16 AM

Anyway, when English descendents who were born in America and of American citizenship are asked their ethnic background, they say, "English." Or sometimes, "English and German." Or sometimes even, "English, German, and Filipino." Get it?

Let me know if it's still not clear....cretin.

Actually, I refer to myself as Heinz 57; a little bit of everything.

It's something to be proud of. I'm not inbred as island dwellers tend to be which resulted in nice teeth and no moles.

diva

2006-02-14, 11:44 AM

I thought Edinburgh and Glasgow were cities in Scotland not British accents.

Just to clarify the above. The city of Glasgow has a distinct accent called 'Glaswegian' (also the name for people born in Glasgow).The closer to Glasgow a Glaswegian is, the stronger his accent. When a Glaswegian moves to England to find work, his accent often vanishes only to return when he re-enters his hometown.

Edinburgh is a city which is 50% junky, 40% tourist and 10% English college students who failed to enter Oxford University. It therefore has no distinct accent.

Hope this clears things up.

Minderbinder

2006-02-15, 02:34 PM

I thought Edinburgh and Glasgow were cities in Scotland not British accents.

The north-south divide! Brings back happy memories of living in the UK. Ahem. Last time I checked, Scotland was part of Great Britian and, therefore, the above would qualify as British accents.

English (as opposed to Scottish)? No.
British? Yes.

Happy to stand corrected if Scotland has split from GB and formed an independant republic (did I miss something like that?).

paulh

2006-02-15, 02:44 PM

Happy to stand corrected if Scotland has split from GB and formed an independant republic (did I miss something like that?).

Scotland now has its own parliamentary executive and Scots vote for their own representatives to control their own affairs

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Intro

PS people in Glasgow speak Glaswegian.

http://www.clyde-valley.com/glasgow/dialect.htm

Ed Ob

2006-02-15, 02:51 PM

Ahem. Last time I checked, Scotland was part of Great Britian and, therefore, the above would qualify as British accents.

English (as opposed to Scottish)? No.
British? Yes.

Happy to stand corrected if Scotland has split from GB and formed an independant republic (did I miss something like that?).

Minderbinder my old chap, I think you should re-read Yodogawa's original post. He wasn't trying to imply that Glasgow and Edinburgh are not British cities, but that they are the names of the cities and not of the accents.
The names of the accents are Glaswegian and . . . .I 've just realised I don't know the other one. I see Diva has a theory about it, but I'm not sure if it's accurate.

Edinburgh is a city which is 50% junky, 40% tourist and 10% English college students who failed to enter Oxford University. It therefore has no distinct accent.

Ed Ob

2006-02-15, 02:52 PM

Scotland now has its own parliamentary executive and Scots vote for their own representatives to control their own affairs

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Intro

PS people in Glasgow speak Glaswegian.

http://www.clyde-valley.com/glasgow/dialect.htm
Yet, still British, so . . . .

scipio

2006-02-15, 03:17 PM

Then maybe the English could have someone of their own ilk governing them.
The political elites within the UK are overwhelmingly Scottish. However once in Westminister, they forget their roots and behave more English than the English
The original act of union between Scotland and England was an agreement between the elites of Scotland and England. The Scottish elites forfeited political power so that they could get access to English markets, both at home and in the colonies.
Since the demise of Empire, Scotland has not been served well by the continued union of England and Scotland. They have been bled dry of their oil, used as lab rats for future UK policies (The Poll Tax),largely left out of the post 1990's prosperity and had their best land bought up at inflated prices by aged English who in their winter years wish to relocate from southern England
The end result is that when English people go visiting to Scotland, they are met with a wall of hostility.
When I go to Scotland with my wife, I let her do all the talking so people don't pick up that I'm English.
However to return to topic, it is said by many linguists that the Aberdeenshire accent is the clearest pronunciation of English. All the 47 vowels, dips and consonants of the basic IPA chart are clearly pronounced and clipped accordingly.