|
|
|
Related LinksFrom The Times: Which English accent makes you sound the smartest? From The Times: Speaking 'Posh' From The Times: Accents and the Brain 'So You Think You Speak English' from Issue 1'So You Think You Speak English' from Issue 2 'So You Think You Speak English' from Issue 3 Blog: Tell everyone your examples of 'Britishisms' |
So You Think You Speak English? With What Accent?
By Sharon S. Kessler From the cacophony of the refectory to the quiet of the library and the measured tones of the classroom, in whispers, shouts and giggles, Harlaxton College is awash in accents: English, American, Australian, Scottish, Irish, Polish, German and even South African. The variations are both subtle and sharp and sometimes amusing. So we asked a few Harlaxton College residents and staff members to share their accents with us. Can you detect the difference between a Midlands accent or one from Yorkshire or London? Many of those who gave us audio clips said they don't "sound" like where they grew up -- having picked up a different accent by living in another part of the country. In England, there is also an accent called RP -- Received Pronunciation. For lack of a better description, it's the Queen's English, the "proper" English pronunciation taught in schools. So, it's a "nowhere and everywhere" accent. For the record, nobody we talked to at Harlaxton claimed to have an RP accent. With the help of English Professor Randall Beebe, we chose the opening lines from Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" as our script, and we asked a few people to read it. While sorting out the various accents can be a little confusing to the American ear, many of the Brits say they can tell where a person is from by their accent. And those differences in pronunciation and cadence make good listening, which is all part of the semester-long immersion in and conversation about all things British. Blimey and Cheerio! Test your ear for accents by clicking an audio file below on the left, then match it with the speaker by clicking on his or her randomly ordered photo and hear if you're right.
|
