Accents

Subject: Accents
From: JulieF
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 07:36 AM

Having met my first mud catters in the flesh ( although I recon I've got Malcolm Douglas down to one of two people) - the subject of accents came up. What do we sound like?

I have a bit of a vested interest in this as my accent is often considered to be one of my more endearing qualities. People, who I have spoken to on the phone have been midly disappointed when they met me. I have, what has been classed as an 'educated scottish' accent - basically it means that having lived in England for a long time my accent is noticabel but soften - a mixture of Galloway, Edinburgh and South Yorkshire.

On a musical front, I can not alter my accent in anyway when I sing ( I have no mimic ability at all) and this restricts my choice of song. What does anyone else think ?

Julie

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:01 AM

I think we have been through the accents bit before (I am bit of N Wales, Shropshire and Kent - lived in Sheffield too but only for a few months - my brother who still lives there (I stopped with another one who has since left) sounds decidedly Yorkshire to me!).

As for songs, just sing what you like to sing and express them as you; how you wish to and do not worry about accents - IMO putting on a fake accent tends (some can do it) to detract from a song anyway. I sing on PalTalk and there is a lady from Kentucky (Mary) who seems to like my version of "Old Black Joe" and I can't think of a less likely accent than mine for this song...

Jon

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:05 AM

Lol! Listening to all your different accents not has me guessing where people are from in England. In the other room I'm always in. Most of the uninitiated hear people in the room with Scottish and Irish accents and say "You must be from England." On the other hand, I'm noted for going "Oh you must be a Geordie." "Why yes! How did you know?" they say. I must say I've fooled a lot of Americans (not Uk'ers of course!) by putting on my accent and telling them I'm from Birmingham. Ha ha!

--Matt (accent-lover)

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:14 AM

I think regional accents are important. They are also interesting, and, I would hate to see the day when we all sound like Dan Rather. In my own case, my Maine accent is very important in what I do. (Maine humorist)

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,bagpuss
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:15 AM

Matt - us Geordies would NEVER say "why yes". "Why Aye" is far more appropriate!

KT

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Grab
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:18 AM

A mild Lancashire accent, but it can become VERY strong sometimes when I sing - I never realised until I taped myself, played it back and thought "Who the hell is that?!"

Grab.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:21 AM

Well, I'm from Minnesota, but I don't have the 'Ja, sure, you betcha' type accent. Can't even do one. I'm from a suburb of Minneapolis, and despite what you may have seen in 'Fargo,' they don't talk like that there (unless they just drove down from Bemidji or something). But I don't have a Minneapolis accent, either... Maybe 'news-caster with a head injury' accent? With a lisp. :P

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:23 AM

Haha, I know Bagpuss, I was being silly!! I usually say "Yeboogah!" and they counter with an equally amusing response! And I always say "Wotcha!"

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:24 AM

Well I was born and drug (dragged) up in Brum (Birmingham UK), my accent has probably softened from 3 years in S.Wales, 1 in N. Wales,15 in London and now 15 in Ascot but still sound pronounced on 'phone or tape.
Matt, it is an unpopular accent in UK so it is flattering you try to imitate it.
Bostin', (ie Busting, a W.Midlands term of approval) ower kid (Brummie term of affection - sometimes "bab" -literally "babe" is used whatever the age!).
RtS (you can take the man out of Brum, but you can't take the Brummie out of the man)

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Jimmy C
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:39 AM

My accent is straight from Belfast, I have been away from there for 35 years but it is still very strong. Most people can understand us if we speak slower than normal, but if a few Belfast people are together and the speech speeeds up a little then outsiders are lost, although a scotsman can usually figure out what we are talking about.

A few months ago I was explaining a song about convicts. I mentioned that a certain country was once a "Penal Colony". After the set a lady asked what a "Penis Colony" was ?. She was definitely not from Belfast.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 09:30 AM

I love accents. I think they add a great richness to our language and would hate to see them fade out. I especially love British accents. Having grown up in Phila. and N.J. and now living in the South, people tell me I have an accent. I'm thrilled. When I first moved here, I met a lady from Texas who swore I was from England because of my accent. Couldn't convince her I was from Philly. Don't ever change your accents to sing-every interpretation of a song brings something unique and special.Just my opinion.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 09:38 AM

I have a wee bit of a Belfast accent which I have to tone down here because no one understands a word I say. I also have to slow it way down, like Jimmy C says - no one can follow us at top speed. When drunk I regress into more "culchie" talk, and can get quite Ulster Scots (it's an Ards Peninsula thing - I grew up there). If I'm doing a lecture or delivering a paper I become "awfully nice".
I love accents too, especially Norn Iron ones, and I love hearing people sing in their own "voices". Perhaps that's why I don't like all that formal classical singing - it just sounds forced and unnatural to me.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: alison
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 09:43 AM

Add another Belfast one to the list....... no one catches me at full speed either, or at full speed and angry EVEN worse.... hahaha

I had to slow right down for the Aussies when I first came over here, they're used to me now..... the folks back home think I have a bit of an Aussie twang.. I don't think so...... although I sometimes have to modify a few words to be understood.... like anything with "ow" in in or the number 8.... no one says them quite the same as Belfast folk.......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 09:46 AM

Yeah Alison - the 8 sound - I've had to spell my name constantly over here in England as people assume when I say it that it's "Kit". And they all get me to say "situation" as apparently there is a uniquely Belfast way of saying it. And "cow". And no one understands me if I say they're being thran.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Mikey joe
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 09:49 AM

Cork altough a little diluted by living in Limerick and Dundee. And yeah the norn iron situation is pretty impressive sounding.

Mj

Subject: RE: Accents
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 09:50 AM

Jaze, don't you find that your accent changes according to whom you are talking at the time? Mine does - so I think that its OK for the singing accent to change according to context in the same way. I hope so anyway, because I can't help it.
I often sing in quite a broad Berkshire (UK) accent, which had me a bit worried in case it sounded false, but then I realised that sometimes speak that way too - so now I think its OK [its where I live]. I'll sometimes put in a bit of a more northern accent - which is not natural to me geographically, but again I sometimes accidentally do that in spoken conversation as well if I enjoy the word/phrase better that way - so its probably OK too.
If its an unconcious variation of accent then hopefully it won't sound false
. But I could be wrong......
I suppose its another of those preference debates.
Anyone else come down in favour of singing in varying accents?

Kris

Subject: RE: Accents
From: alison
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:01 AM

My kids have Aussie accents... but they still say "down" and "cow" like their mum (they can say them the Aussie way too... but more often it's the "proper" way like me)........ hahahaha

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Accents
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:04 AM

Jon Freeman has the sexiest accent on the 'Cat. Nynia comes in for a close second. Bigchuck and DaveO have deep sexy "American" voices. Make me think of Gregory Peck and Harrison Ford. Kendall talks funny but makes up for it with his dimples. I have never heard Spaw's voice (nor any other Spaw noises) so I have no comment. For reasons unknown I don't have a real NY accent though born and bred here. Wyoming Woman has the sweetest, gentlest female voice on the "Cat. Babbling over. Back to work.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:11 AM

This is grayit stoof here. Alison.........would you like some cayek? I love the sound of the norn iron. My people were all Galway to Athlone folk, but the immigrants in my area of Michigan in the 50's and early 60's were from all over Ireland. It had a curious effect on the way us wee'uns spoke. There were so many of the old ones and there families around, that it literally would affect our speech patterns over the summer. To this day, when around immigrant folks, it still comes back some 30 - 40 years later. In fact, a wonderful friend from Limerick, when we first met said to me.........."I know you are a Southerner, but I can not figure out from where"...........LOL. Funny stuff. Quick.........Alison, ...........say "Down".

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:16 AM

I'd have to agree with you Sins about WyoWoman. Ella is right up there too though I've only heard her once. But I remember! And how could I forget Diva? Her voice makes me...um..well..yes (!) Oh, and Tinker has a sexy voice too!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: alison
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:16 AM

I defy you to spell "down" the way I say it..... hahahaha...

an Mick I'd jist luv a wee bit af cayek.... a nice wee slab of chaclit cayek wud be jist grayit..... thanks wee lad..... and can I get a wee tayist of tea for til go with it luv? yer a wee pet.......

lol

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:37 AM

Well, to be shure, woman, if its a ta-aste of the aul tea you'd be havin, shure and I wouldn't I ever love to take care of it for yourself. Would you ever be so kind as to hand me the teabags...............What for?.........oh, dat's right, Maura........she only wants me to show the blessed bag to the pot, not actually put it in......there ya go lad, now.......its on with the snug and let brew..........LOL.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:40 AM

Beg to disagree Roger, I just love the Geordie accent!

"Doyne" Alison?...just a guess...(8o))

mcmoo (of no particular accent due to living all over the shop except for the Sligo "a"s)

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:45 AM

Aye, "doyne" would be gettin close, like, wee lad. Here's me, wha'?.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:46 AM

Think, Fib, ALison and Jimmy, at least you don't have a Ballymena accent!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:48 AM

Yeah Matt, but my drunken Ards Peninsula Ulster Scot's is fairly similar, so ye cannae say nathin' 'bout that Ballamena yin, hey boy.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:50 AM

I dunno...it all sounds easy to understand to me!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: little john cameron
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:53 AM

Weel then,here's whit ah think o the maiter.We shud aw blether in the same tongue an gie up this accent business.Ah spent a wheen o years gettin rid o mine an here ye are stertin up wi it again.Gies a brek,wull ye no,an speak proper an mibbe we'll aw be able tae understaun ane anither.Ah dinnae want aw mah elocution lessons tae go doon the cludgie. ljc

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:55 AM

Oh aye, the Ballymena one's easy enough to understand because it's a nice slow drawl, but if I could type as fast as I normally speak I'd be breaking world landspeed records!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:56 AM

I beg your pardon Little John....

(;0)

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:57 AM

Don't worry, Fib, I'm conditioned. The young people of America think it's really cool for some reason to talk REALLY fast. So, you get used to it!

And LJC, I'm well known for talking to myself and others in the Scots dialect!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 11:01 AM

I think it's hard to fake an accent; we just need to be true to what we really are. I always hated the actresses in Steel Magnolias trying to fake a Southern accent. I think they can fool outsiders, but it kinda grates the nerves when you can recognize the real thing.

Having moved around a lot, I know that one's accent changes with geography. It's a matter of changing in order to be understood. But when we go back home, the old accent comes out. I remember seeing a TV reporter who sounded so proper and bland on screen, but then when she turned to greet her Mississippi neighbors, the accent bubbled over.

Since my MS has affected my vocal chords, my speech has had to become slow and labored. That coupled with a childhood Texas drawl really makes me sound like something I'm not. I've found that foreigners (Chinese and Mexican restaurant workers and university students from all over the world) have no trouble whatsoever understanding me. American teenagers working in fast food places almost never understand me. Unfortunately, that has as much to do with attitude as "ear."

SINSULL, you got it right on the PalTalk folks! It really is a pleasure to listen in. One of the funniest songs I heard was when jacko put on a redneck accent for a song. (It sounded normal to me.) I had never thought about how you would "put on" a redneck accent.

When my son was in high school he referred to the librarian as "that lady with the foreign accent." She was from New Jersey!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 11:09 AM

Good one Mary! Heh...check me out. I've moved every three years since I was born. I speak with a Philadelphia accent, although I've never lived there for more than a few months. I was born in Georgia, and have lived in the South for 13 of my 22 years, but still haven't lost my Philly accent..or picked up a Southern one (except when I was 3, and from watching The Waltons, I started calling my mother "momma"). I fake the Southern thing though...but this Eastern NC accent is hard to master!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:16 PM

We Mainers can not stand Murder she wrote because of the phoney accents. Fred Gwynn in Pet Semetary was the worst though!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:20 PM

I'm from the west coast US.....I have no accent....

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:24 PM

Having been raised in Toronto I have no accent (Right Rick, Peter?).

My father came to Canada form Dublin when he was 27, yet most people who knew him here had no idea he wasn't raised in Toronto, with the exception of a few words he had no accent at all.

I find that when I travel I quickly and unintentionally pick up the local accents, but lose them as quickly when I return.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:26 PM

I think singing in your own natural accent is the best, but we've discussed before about using dialect words in trad songs or changing them. Can anyone tell me why I'm happy singing 'Will ye gang love' but I can't sing 'and leave me noo'

And you can't sing the blues in an English accent, so what's a girl to do? :0)

Noreen

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Llanfair
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:34 PM

Funny, that, I don't have an accent either, but when I listen to songs I've recorded, it's obvious that the recording equipment has altered it to a Manchester accent.
Ihaven't lived there for 30 years!!!
Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:40 PM

I trust that there was a sly grin with that comment, Nathan. An American participant on HearMe a while ago made the same comment and was deadly serious...

Noreen

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:45 PM

Funny that, Bron, my equipment manufactures a Liverpool accent (another accent that everyone thinks they can 'do'...aargh)!

Subject: RE: Accents
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:45 PM

I lived in Rhode Island until I was nine and a half, so I started out with a New England accent. Then, we moved to Maryland, but instead of getting a Maryland accent, the two accents canceled each other out, and now I think I sound like I'm from Ohio. A Canadian recently told me he thinks I sound like I'm from Canada.

Carol

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 03:16 PM

Big Mick, Alison and Fibula - youse'uns are gonna make me boke wi' all thon oul' shite about accents. Us 'uns from Norn Iron don't have an accent - everyone else does! So knock it aff, will yez?

Seamus

Subject: RE: Accents
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 03:27 PM

What's your point, Mary? New Jerseyans do have a foreign accent. My god! Have you ever heard them say potatoes? (badaydas)Wonder how Dan Quayle would spell that??? And Jersey fresh - Joisey, no less.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Bert
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 03:42 PM

We can't have thread creep about sexiest voices without mentioning Jeri.

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 03:47 PM

Or MargaretV.....

Subject: RE: Accents
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 03:56 PM

Or Bert

Subject: RE: Accents
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 04:51 PM

Matt, I can spot a Philly accent a mile away! it's that unique. I also grew up in NJ and NEVER said Joisey. I do say Youse guys, though

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 05:04 PM

Heh heh Jaze! We also say "yeeeeeuh", "j'eat?" and "oddinerry".

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Clifton53
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 05:22 PM

'Joisey' is pretty much gone with the wind. People here use it purposely to get a laugh when asked where they're from. Actually it is a New York City accent that uses 'Joisey' more than we from the other side of the Hudson do. But the Jersey accent is strong of itself and sometimes hard to distinguish from New York City's. In fact, the accents there differ by borough or even neighborhood. And here in Jersey, one's accent will differ depending on what part of the state one is from.

Clifton53

Subject: RE: Accents
From: Jimmy C
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 06:50 PM

Steve. all my three children were born in Toronto and grew up in East York, but they only have to be in Belfast for a day or two and they're sounding like the natives.

Clifton 53 - As for the Joisey accent, I heard a story once about a teacher taking a class of Jersey children out on a field nature trip, One of the little boys pointed up and shouted " look it's a boid" the teacher said "it is not a boid, it is a bird" The kid replied " well it choyps like a boid"