Regional accents, can other people place you?

[minestrone]

I've also noticed this with white singers consciously or otherwise trying to sound black. Nothing wrong with this but no white singer is ever going to sound like Aretha or any other accomplished black singer.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...a-hookers.html

[mudskipper]

I remember this with UB40 when they first came on the scene. But really liked them once I got used to it.

Paolo Nutini is the one that currently grates.

[Cliphead]

http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...a-hookers.html

Yes, I remembered that thread. Really not sure it's about commercialism but more about kids trying to emulate what they listen to.

[formant]

That's very interesting. How far does that ability extend to regions and languages outside of the UK (and within of course as well)?

I'm reasonably familiar with regional varieties in the US and Ireland (but then I did also spend some time living there). Haven't studied any Australian or South African accents in any detail, so doubt I'm much better at placing those than anyone else would be.

I have done some work on Indian/Punjabi and Pakistani accents (in English), as well as other ethnic varieties (Carribbean English), as those are relevant in the forensic field as well as (mostly the former) in my current field of work (medical transcription - plenty of Asian doctors around).

I haven't applied any of this to my native language (German) or any other language so far. I work on varieties of English only.

[minestrone]

Paulo Nuttini.

Nobody actually speaks like that in Glasgow, except if you want to channel John Martin.

[Cliphead]

I'm reasonably familiar with regional varieties in the US and Ireland (but then I did also spend some time living there). Haven't studied any Australian or South African accents in any detail, so doubt I'm much better at placing those than anyone else would be.

I have done some work on Indian/Punjabi and Pakistani accents (in English), as well as other ethnic varieties (Carribbean English), as those are relevant in the forensic field as well as (mostly the former) in my current field of work (medical transcription - plenty of Asian doctors around).

I haven't applied any of this to my native language (German) or any other language so far. I work on English varieties.

I felt quite pleased with myself when I finally could distinguish between American and Canadian accents after spending time working in both countries. I can almost tell the difference between Aussie and Kiwi but it catches me out sometimes.

[formant]

I felt quite pleased with myself when I finally could distinguish between American and Canadian accents after spending time working in both countries. I can almost tell the difference between Aussie and Kiwi but it catches me out sometimes.

Heh, yes, Canadians can get quite grumpy when you get that wrong.

[mudskipper]

I felt quite pleased with myself when I finally could distinguish between American and Canadian accents after spending time working in both countries. I can almost tell the difference between Aussie and Kiwi but it catches me out sometimes.

I lived in SA for 8 years and had a very strong accent when I left, but I still struggle with SA and kiwi on first encounter.

[Cliphead]

Heh, yes, Canadians can get quite grumpy when you get that wrong.

That's why I learned the difference so quickly

[Cliphead]

I lived in SA for 8 years and had a very strong accent when I left, but I still struggle with SA and kiwi on first encounter.

Having worked with so many but never been there I can tell the difference between Capetown and Jo'burg.