Accents
Whenever Americans attempt a British accent in film or on television, they are usually panned by American and Brits alike. Yet, when Brits attempt to do an American accent - e.g. Hugh Laurie in House, or this actress from Bionic Woman… they are always praised for their exceptional talent and how seamlessly they can move from their native accent to that of an American. I really don’t get it.
I can always tell.
Don’t get me wrong, I would worship the ground Hugh Laurie walks on (but mostly because he’s BFF with Stephen Fry). His American accent is REALLY good. But I can tell. Even when I don’t know where an actor is from, I can pick up on a fake American accent. They usually flatten the vowels too much.
I can always pick out the British actor, even when I don’t know who it is. I nearly gagged the other night when I was watching Art School Confidential. I had to suffer Sophia Myles’ American accent as well as that of Jim Broadbent. Jim Broadbent, you are suppose to make GOOD MOVIES. And your accent did suck, there.)
I always enjoy Ewan McGregor’s attempts at an American accent, especially a southern accent. Actors from the UK seem to find it the southern accent easiest to replicate. I understand why, I can hear similarities between them - as varied as they each are.
It’s really irritating, though, I must say. I wonder how stupid it makes Americans appear (forgetting, for a moment, all the other things that makes us appear stupid) when we do praise actors for imitating our bland accents. Is it just me? I don’t know.
October 12th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Actors from the UK seem to find it the southern accent easiest to replicate. I understand why, I can hear similarities between them - as varied as they each are.
I can understand, too. I mean, what other kind of American accent would anyone want to replicate?
I had to really work on my vowels when I started college, but you can still catch me sometimes. I often wish I hadn’t lost what little I had. Maybe, if the Brits can affect it, then I, by golly, can do it too!