Bree asked: >> Sooo,Colin,John,Wolf,Hell,Laurent(French?)Willie do you guys ever read our posts with an american accent?
Not really. Like Wally, when I have met someone, I hear his or her voice as I remember it. But for the rest ... no American accents. It also has to do with the fact that English - over here in Holland - is generally taught as British English ... spelling, pronunciation, choice of words. American English is secretly and snobbishly frowned upon, especially by people who are more into languages. Don't ask my why, but I was part of that snob-mob for twenty years, too. I would practice for hours to try to master a Birmingham accent, cockney rhyming slang, a Yorkshire accent or Geordie (Newcastle) sounds, American was never an option. The idea that there were accents in America was foreign to me. Oh yes, we knew about the southern accent (we watched Gone with the Wind & The Dukes of Hazzard), and we knew that New Yorkers said coowohffy when they meant that beverage that is - criminally - passing for coffee in the US, but no ... as English majors we did not assume that the US had any say in 'real English'. Gawd, I was an arrogant and pompous ass (arse) ... I never forget that my 19th century literature professor in Durham, Bleach (nomen est omen), said to me when I told him that I majored in American literature: "Isn't that a contradiction in terms?" Although I rated modern American writers very highly - still do -, deep down I thought he was funny. That's how much we were/are brainwashed here. Of course, all my language prejudices against American English have been entirely confirmed, now that I am staying in Baltimore regularly, just axe Clawdya. :-) Accents are handy, though. In America, I can aways speak fluent Dutch and frighten the hell out of everyone (Claudia: "Dutch is not a language, it's a throat disease"). And in Britain it's great to confuse people by speaking perfect Queen's English without any accent. Or switch to a Yorkshire accent. It only once got me into real trouble. When I was serving in an international NATO army exercise (I was the interpreter for the Dutch, Germans & British), wearing my Dutch Captain's uniform and speaking with a broad Belfast accent to a few British officers. Not a good idea. What's your accent like, Bree? John
