The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #157376 Message #3714228
Posted By: Will Fly
03-Jun-15 - 10:51 AM
Thread Name: Folklore: How did 19th century Americ sound?
Subject: RE: Folklore: How did 19th century Americ sound?
I think a lot depends on an individual's ear and their innate ability to pick up on an accent. I lived in Scotland from the age of 2 for 5 years and went back to Lancashire in 1951 with a decided Glaswegian accent. From then until I was 24 I developed a Lancashire accent - but dropped back immediately into a Scottish accent if I ever spoke to a Scot or went back to Scotland for a few days! After being in London and Sussex for nearly 40 years, I have a quasi-Southern accent, I suppose - but can drop back into Lanky talk at the drop of a hat...
My sister went to live in the US - Ohio and then Arizona - when she was about 22 or so. She sounds completely American when she comes to see us - for the first few days at any rate!
I can just hear the dialogue at the Alamo: (Lancashire accents)
"Nah then, our Davey (Crockett) - t' Mexicans are 'avin' a reet gradely do - fancy a brew afore they get 'ere?"