The colonial accents thread

[Absinthe]

I've always had trouble telling accents apart, for example accents from different American states, or Australia, or New Zealand, Canada, etc...

Of course I can tell the souther accent because of the special idioms (howdy ya all! ) but I cannot otherwise tell, e.g. when a person is from New York or from Nevada, and I also cannot say what is a stereotypical Australian accent, for instance.

Could you enlighten me in this bit? It's all English to me!

[Aemma]

I've always had trouble telling accents apart, for example accents from different American states, or Australia, or New Zealand, Canada, etc...

Of course I can tell the souther accent because of the special idioms (howdy ya all! ) but I cannot otherwise tell, e.g. when a person is from New York or from Nevada, and I also cannot say what is a stereotypical Australian accent, for instance.

Could you enlighten me in this bit? It's all English to me!

I'll help only if you don't call me a "colonial" ever again!

[Absinthe]

Oh, I am terribly sorry...

[Frigga]

I suppose we'll forgive you!

The best way to determine what different accents sound like is to hear them! Here are some movies that you can watch to hear them!

The Departed has people talking in a Boston accent, quite different from New York. Clueless is definite California. (Which is what I have! ) Fargo is Northern Midwestern. No Country For Old Men is good because the Texas accent is still Southern, but much more subtle. A good television show to get a hold of is New Yankee Workshop. It's a carpenter show, but his accent is very New England.

Oh, I know another good movie for you Absinthe! Get Deathproof. It has bland American accents in it, but Zoe Bell, (who I think is ultimate uberchick!! ) is from New Zealand. You can hear the difference between American and Kiwi. Muriel's Wedding and Strictly Ballroom are Australian films with the Aussie accent.

Hope this helps ya!

[anonymaus]

This is a vast phonological subject you want distilled... some stereotypical soundbites from people speaking might be best; akin to the "post your accent" thread but specific to the regions you want.

[Mrs Ulf]

Sometimes I say things in a Dutchie accent, or Michigan (upper peninsula) if I'm in a certain mood. I'm not sure if thats really an accent though.

Australians and people from New Zealand sound exactly the same to me.

[Treffie]

I think the Newfoundland accent is the most intriguing one in North America

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sSFSQb93aw[/YOUTUBE]

[Absinthe]

^ I was recently told about the Newfies and I was shown this video That woman told me that Newfies are to Canadians what Black Sea people are to Greeks and Turks

[Treffie]

^ I was recently told about the Newfies and I was shown this video That woman told me that Newfies are to Canadians what Black Sea people are to Greeks and Turks

Another unusual accent is the one that is spoken in parts of Minnesota. Here's a clip from the film, Fargo

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy2HfixB9_8[/YOUTUBE]

[Absinthe]

It sounds pretty normal to me... Is this considered unusual?