I forget sometimes that I speak in a different accent to everyone else. Normally, when I’m doing something mundane like the shopping at the supermarket, all of a sudden someone will ask me where I’m from. It takes me a couple of seconds sometimes then I realise – oh yes – I’m different from the rest of them. I live here I say, but I’m from England. That gets lots of different reactions.
One person told me that they had a friend in Australia and did I know them? Yes, everyone who speaks in funny accents knows one another. Someone else asked me if I was from Paris, London. Wasn’t sure how to answer that without completely insulting their geography. That’s like two separate cities in two completely separate countries! And recently when I said I was from England, the guy responded ‘Aah, oui oui!’
I know, I know some British people are just as outrageous with their knowledge of geography and don’t realise that America is quite big. They think if you’re visiting New York perhaps the people you know in California can pop by and say hello. I’m just a lot more exposed to it here, being a foreigner, talking funny and saying hysterical things. When we were buying a car rack the other day I was concerned about the security and asked how easy it would be to ‘pinch.’ The poor guy just stared at me as though I’d spoken another language. Luckily Danny stepped in as my gallant translator: ‘She means steal.’
And my name. Lorna. It’s a really simple name. But way too much for Americans. Now whatever I’m called, Lolla (my personal favourite, I feel like a Miss World competitor) Lauren, Laura, if it begins with L, I assume they mean me. One person even told me that I was pronouncing it incorrectly. Lots of people say it back to me in a British accent thinking that’s the sound of the name, but they end up sounding like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.
The best is ‘water.’ Because I pronounce the ‘t’ no one understands me. At a drive-thru last week what with my accent and the crappy headset system, I gave up and shouted ‘wadah’ into the microphone. Then they still couldn’t hear me because my boys were killing themselves laughing. I had a coke instead.
{ 11 comments }
I’m a linguistics student and I’m particularly interested in sociolinguistics — how language can effect a person’s social life. It is fascinating that an accent or a dialect can shape the identity of a person.
However, I believe that everyone who speaks English (either as a first or second language) should be able to recognize its different dialects. Granted that in one variety (American English or British English) there are a lot of dialects or accents, but they should be able to know if it is British or American.
What is dump is when they don’t know what England is or where it is located. I mean “Paris, London”! this is VERY VERY stupid. If I had been you, I would have punched that guy in the face.
And no, you don’t talk funny. Sometimes I avoid pronouncing the word “water” the American way so the masses can understand me (here British English is the standard in Universities — and students are more exposed to it than to any other variety.)
It just unbelievable and outrageous to me that there are people who don’t know England or think that those who speak the same must know each other!
P.S: I came across your blog while reading Danny’s latest article. I’m a technologist too is a fan of Danny and his work. He really is a great guy
Adam,
Ah, I made a few typos and I can’t edit the comment! I think it is understandable though
@ Adam: You want to punch them for mixing up Paris, London? Hahahaha… I’m from South Africa and half the Brits think I’m supposed to know everyone in Africa (never mind just this country). Do they know that the UK would fit into one of our provinces? *sigh*
I don’t think it’s a stupidity scenario but rather folk just don’t think or care enough to bother to learn a little geography. Hey, that’s just the way it is.
Lorna: LOL. just last week an Australian friend was in Reno and was asked if he was Canadian. Yes, he delightly replied in a very broad Australian accent. How did you know? (Can’t take him out in public anywhere.)
Adam: so … could the average person in Manchester tell the difference between a South Carolina accent and a Texas accent. Betcha they can’t.
And much as I enjoy making fun of Americans and their general lack of geographical knowledge, it’s all relative. I know where Paris & London are located but would be hard pressed to name (& place on a map) any Chinese cities other than Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Oh Lorna.. Yes, Yes and Yes…
Starbucks is the worst place for me because, when they ask your name and i say “John” they almost never understand me. I’ve been, Jim, James even Jane!
I’m used to people accusing me of being Australian or Irish but on one occasion i was asked if i was German.. and in another incident after a visit to the school where my wife teaches, she was asked if i was speaking French.
@Lee, I’m sure they wouldn’t know, but I believe they should be able to tell the difference between a British dialect and an American, not just from the pronunciation but also from the vocabulary.
The dialects from one variety (ex- RP, North England..etc of British English) are generally similar so even a native speaker of one of these dialects can’t tell the difference.
Jonathan, LOOOL!
And all this time, I thought you were Italian
Congrats on the blog – I really enjoy your writing!
I’m still laughing at the thought of your sons laughing themselves silly in the back seat over your ‘new’ pronunciation. Thanks for the giggle!
Lorna, welcome to the blogosphere! You aren’t alone in your language troubles. When I’ve gone to Europe I’ve been asked if I was Canadian, Dutch, and German. Strangely, the French always had an easier time with my name (pronounced mi-KAY-la) than the majority of my fellow Americans who always ask me to repeat it a few times. When I was in China and someone said, “mehaha,” they generally meant me.
Firstly your blog is fab……I did have to laugh at the ‘I talk funny’ entry..I can relate to it all!!!!!!! We frequently got mistaken for Australians, which you would think is ridiculous but infact when you hear an Australian voice out there, you then understand why…infact we have similar accents when heard against the American accent. Would you agree? Yes ‘Water’ was the best one, I would actually put on an american accent when in line for a bottle of water just to save the 50 questions!
I do miss living there alot, some days more than others. It actually was harder to come back and settle here then our move out there in 2002. I expect the children have adopted the American twang by now, ours did in about 6 months; but then reverted back to their little English accents when we got back, much to the amusement of all our American friends!
Anyway, enjoy the sunshine…..and keep blogging (is that an official term in blog land?!!)
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