Comments on: I come from a land down under

By: Alasdair

Alasdair — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:33:20 +0000

Dylan – it’s possible that they have learned that it’s safer to call a sassenach an Aussie, than to call an Aussie a sassenach … (grin) …

When an american ‘hears’ an accent, they seem to have learned NOT to presume it’s an english accent, but will rather list off alternatives …

I am regularly asked “You have an accent, don’t you ?” – and my standard reply is to answer, smiling innocently, “Actually, no, *I* don’t have an accent … *you* do …” … the usual response is the mildly goldfish-like (or two-stroke-like) “But … but …” …

The next question then tends to be “Where are you from ?” – to which my response is “I’m from Glendale.” … after a short pause, when they look puzzled, I further explain “Los Angeles is a suburb of Glendale.” …

If they then ask “And before that ?”, I answer, equally truthfully “North Hollywood” …

An intelligent few will ask the sensible first question – “Where are you from originally ?” – or “Where were you born ?” …

By: Trixie

Trixie — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:18:25 +0000

They don’t understand you …. we all know that you’re a rain-loving Northern poofty. Best come home I reckon ….

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:22:53 +0000

Well…if your dearly beloved can put up with watching Keeley in the first few series of Spooks, and if the presence of Matthew Macfadyen doesn’t compensate, then tell her to hang in there as she will be rewarded in the later series with the wonderful Rupert Penry-Jones! Glad you’re keeping up with your British TV homework.

By: Expat Mum

Expat Mum — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:20:20 +0000

I think the term is “soft shite southerner” actually. At least that’s what us in the North East used.
And what about South African? Yes, I can add that to the list of my perceived accents.
I think what happens in the American brain is that they hear you speaking English, but (hopefully) it’s obviously not an American accent, so they just start guessing wildly.
I recommend regular Top Gear viewing just to keep up with the vernacular.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:53:31 +0000

haha Well here is one example of why they may be mistaking you: Prison Break tv show, there is an Australian character, who sounds nothing like any Aussie I’ve ever met! Funnily enough he is played by a fellow Brit!

I’ve been mistaken for a Scot on one occasion, but I think most people get it right.