A British alum once told me, “If you’ve got an English accent, you’ve got it made, mate!” (”Mate” is English for “dude”.)
For the most part , the accent thing is but an icebreaker. It gets you what I like to call the “deer in headlights” moment. The girl (or guy, for some) will notice the accent, and will have a wow moment. After that, it’s down to the accent holder to use the advantage.
So, part 1 of this series is a list of useful and not-so-useful places for accents (whether you have them or can put them on).
Places where the exotic accent is useful (based on the experiences of yours truly)
1. Random meetings: Waiting for college advisors and see a nice-looking someone? Strike up conversation and let the accent do its work. Obtain number.
2. House parties: ‘Nuff said.
3. Frat parties: If you are a foreign brother - you’ve got it made. If not, then enjoy distracting girls from frat-like juvenile attempts at seduction simply by speaking.
4. Restaurants: Waiting for a table? Cross over to maitre d’ (or equivalent if in a dive) and have a quick word in best British accent. It’s better and cheaper than slipping them a twenty in a handshake. Can work well with other accents too, but it is rather hit or miss.
5. Insulting people and getting away with it: When done in a British accent, it is usually assumed you are being sarcastic, sardonic, or both. You never actually mean it.
Places where a British accent is not useful
1. Britain: Everyone has it there. If you try to pull off the restaurant thing or similar, you might get told to “Bugger off! You posh toff!”
2. France: Is there anyone they don’t hate?
3. Wales: - Prefer their own accents.
Places where an accent in general is not useful
1. The police station: I would assume. Being a foreigner doesn’t really help. Deportation for minor offense always a possibility…
2. Clubs: They can’t hear you. Advantage is lost.
3. Hot, deaf people: See above.
More on accents on Tuesday.
Tags: accents, deer, posh toffs, sheep
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January 24th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
If you would like to sound like a real American, give us a call. At Lingual Institute we offer one-on-one instruction in English with a focus on accent reduction and fluency.
Call us at 215-564-4040 or email general@lingualinstitute.com
January 25th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hopefully, the next post will be a video log demonstrating the accent in action.
January 25th, 2008 at 9:49 am
“Real” American? What does that mean? Does someone with a southern or a Boston accent not sound like a real American? What about a Philadelphian who says “wooter”? Children of immigrants? Homogeneity in accent is not desirable.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Nick, chill! No one is promoting homogeneity; it is neither desirable nor achievable. When I wrote “real American” I had in mind anyone with an American accent, be they from Georgia, Philadelphia or South Boston. As Penn linguist William Labov has demonstrated, regional dialects are alive and well in the USA. Some English learners, though, would like to sound more American and less like non-native speakers.