Poll: What variant of English do you speak? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What variant of English do you speak?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Lieven Malaise
Belgium
Local time: 22:30
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
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| American English(ish) | Nov 27 |
At school and college I've learnt British English which is probably a logical thing since I live in Belgium and the UK is only a few hours away.
But my pronunciation probably leans more to American English. I blame the American TV and Hollywood culture and the fact that, in my opinion, the American pronunciation is a bit sloppier than the British one (the latter requiring a bit more of mouth and tongue acrobatics), and this makes it easier to pronounce. Can I say this without insult... See more At school and college I've learnt British English which is probably a logical thing since I live in Belgium and the UK is only a few hours away.
But my pronunciation probably leans more to American English. I blame the American TV and Hollywood culture and the fact that, in my opinion, the American pronunciation is a bit sloppier than the British one (the latter requiring a bit more of mouth and tongue acrobatics), and this makes it easier to pronounce. Can I say this without insulting American citizens?  I'll take my chances.
I would be able to reproduce a (more) British accent, but it would take more effort. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | "Dutch" British English ... | Nov 27 |
I've learned British English in school, but I clearly have a Dutch accent and probably a good deal of interference with American English pronunciation and vocabulary, too. I remember being quite shocked when I found out - only a few years ago - about the British pronunciation of "privacy", as the loan word in Dutch is pronounced in the American way.
[Edited at 2024-11-27 08:56 GMT]
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I voted British English - that is the way I was brought up and what I aim for.
However, having lived outside the UK for most of a long life, I have to keep studying my own language, and I am constantly influenced by Scandi-English where I live and American English online.
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As an American I can say that yes, American English is, indeed, "lazier". More monotone. Flatter.
British English is more musical, and, let's face it, well-spoken British English just sounds better. Whether it is fair, or makes any sense at all, those speaking "proper" British English sound smarter, better educated, and more sophisticated. Strange but true.
The only beautiful American English, in my view, is that of a well educated Southerner, with a drawl, but everyt... See more As an American I can say that yes, American English is, indeed, "lazier". More monotone. Flatter.
British English is more musical, and, let's face it, well-spoken British English just sounds better. Whether it is fair, or makes any sense at all, those speaking "proper" British English sound smarter, better educated, and more sophisticated. Strange but true.
The only beautiful American English, in my view, is that of a well educated Southerner, with a drawl, but everything Southern is, sadly, a bit frowned upon in the US, so we all end up speaking like the people on mainstream news. : (
Side note. The fact that the vast majority of America's over 300 million people speak with a "standard" accent is incredible. It's an amazing lack of variety, due to the country's lack of history, and the great mobility of its people.
There are probably more accents in London than in all of the USA.
Lieven Malaise wrote:
At school and college I've learnt British English which is probably a logical thing since I live in Belgium and the UK is only a few hours away.
But my pronunciation probably leans more to American English. I blame the American TV and Hollywood culture and the fact that, in my opinion, the American pronunciation is a bit sloppier than the British one (the latter requiring a bit more of mouth and tongue acrobatics), and this makes it easier to pronounce. Can I say this without insulting American citizens? I'll take my chances.
I would be able to reproduce a (more) British accent, but it would take more effort. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Liena Vijupe 
Latvia
Local time: 23:30
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
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Transatlantic. I just love old movies, can't do anything about it.
If I've had one too many, I switch to Irish English with a Scottish accent, but beware if you hear the Queen's English from me because then I am really mad.
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I was taught British English in school, but please don’t ask me what my accent is, it’s more than probably a mixture of American and British accents (by the way, how many British accents are there?) with some strong Portuguese influences. I speak French much better than English and having lived 30 years in Belgium my French friends say I have a strong «accent nordiste»…
| | | | Bora Taşdemir
Local time: 00:30
Member (2012)
English to Turkish
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| My answer is: a mixture of some of them | Nov 27 |
There is a version called 'international English' but I couldn't locate among the options...
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I said British but the truth is British and American. I probably sound weird
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 22:30
Spanish to English
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| Which pronunciation of "privacy"? | Nov 27 |
Edith van der Have wrote:
...I remember being quite shocked when I found out - only a few years ago - about the British pronunciation of "privacy", as the loan word in Dutch is pronounced in the American way.
[Edited at 2024-11-27 08:56 GMT]
Both versions of privacy are valid. It's another case of 'potato/potahto'.
Being Scottish, I tend to say "privacy" where the "pri" part is the same as in "private", but "pri" as in "privet" (hedge) is fine too.
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also known as Hiberno English
| | | | Novian Cahyadi
Indonesia
Local time: 04:30
Member (Apr 2024)
English to Indonesian
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