Now that I think about it, when I did make friends, I would either have to lie to them (and everyone else) about being American, or tell them, in which case I would either become the American who speaks with a Scottish accent for no reason, or use my normal American accent with them and the Scottish accent with everyone new, which would get incredibly messy.
But hey, while were on the topic, are you guys (Scots and Englishmen alike) fascinated with the American accent like we are with the Scottish/English/Irish/Australian accents?
Do you think its because of the incredible amount of exposure you guys get to our accent through the media? Because I think part of the fascination we have with the other accents is the fact that theyre so rare to us.
As an Edinburgh graduate, I find it disturbing that you slipped through the cracks and were allowed in. There are plenty of Yanks at Edinburgh and a lot of them are good chaps and ladies, don't embarrass your country and yourself.
Do you think its because of the incredible amount of exposure you guys get to our accent through the media? Because I think part of the fascination we have with the other accents is the fact that theyre so rare to us.
You could be right with that one tbh, I find eastern European accents fascinating to me because you only hear them when you meet someone from those countries.
Most of the American accents you hear on tv aren't that strong, though. Or at least we're so used to them that they don't seem to be that strong.
I do like the really "twangy" accent...I think it's Texas?
Im in the process of applying to Edinburgh (and my other unis) and Ive reached that point where theres nothing left to do but wait, so at this point Im just killing time talking about university because I cant get it off my mind and worrying about offers. hence this thread.
So I am American, but I am endlessly fascinated with Scotland (hence my Edinburgh application) and, (like most americans believe it or not) with the scottish accent.
So Im wondering what you think. If I go to Edinburgh (fingers crossed!) I am thinking of speaking in a Scottish accent the entire time I am there. Now I have a talent for accents, so I can assure you in a few months you wouldnt be able to tell me apart from any of you, but what would you think if you found out?
I figured it would be a cool way to experience having a Scottish accent for four years, and it would help me blend into the native atmosphere, but I also recognize that some might see it as being ingenuine or trying to be someone Im not.
What do you think?
If you're good at the accent and can convince the government, your University tuition will be free (I think).
You could be right with that one tbh, I find eastern European accents fascinating
See that would be a counterexample for us, because eastern European accents are rare for us too, but we associate them with negative images and therefore look down on the accent (too many movies with russian gangsters and Cold War propaganda I guess). The same holds true for accents like Chinese and Spanish accents (though some find spanish accents attractive), so I think it has to do with a combination of rarity and the public image that the community has of that country.
Another example would be the fact that a century ago, Irish accents in the USA were seen with a similar light as Chinese accents are today, yet now that we have fewer Irishmen the accent has become a very romantic and desired one.
Last edited by brazilianrocker : 11-10-2009 at 01:51.
But hey, while were on the topic, are you guys (Scots and Englishmen alike) fascinated with the American accent like we are with the Scottish/English/Irish/Australian accents?
I largely hate American accents. They're horrible.
Location: Charlottesville, VA, DC, Louisville, KY and Bristol, UK
Posts: 529
Re: Should I Put On a Scottish Accent?
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That's just silly, for a few reasons.
1) I am currently an American in the UK. My natural accent is a fantastic starting point for conversation, and honestly I think that I've made more friends for it because the difference in culture (which, believe it or not is minimal!) provides a shelter from awkward silences.
2) Once you make friends, you can endlessly entertain them by doing very bad British/Scottish accents (even if you can do them quite well) and vice-versa.
3) What are you going to say when they ask you where you're from? When they have further questions about that? It'll lead to awkward questions, and eventually they'll figure it out, and honestly, that is just weird.
4) Your enchantment with Scotland will probably dissolve once you get there. You'll love your time there, don't get me wrong, but most Anglophiles that I've known to come to the UK realize very quickly that it is very much a part of the real world. I wasn't one of those people, as I've been around the UK my entire life, but still. You catch my drift.
I was thinking of starting uni and speaking in a French accent for a while, I had this whole backstory made up about how I was born in Paris. Then after a couple of weeks going "Nah! I'm from Nottingham really!". Would have been awesome.
1) I am currently an American in the UK. My natural accent is a fantastic starting point for conversation, and honestly I think that I've made more friends for it because the difference in culture (which, believe it or not is minimal!) provides a shelter from awkward silences.
2) Once you make friends, you can endlessly entertain them by doing very bad British/Scottish accents (even if you can do them quite well) and vice-versa.
3) What are you going to say when they ask you where you're from? When they have further questions about that? It'll lead to awkward questions, and eventually they'll figure it out, and honestly, that is just weird.
4) Your enchantment with Scotland will probably dissolve once you get there. You'll love your time there, don't get me wrong, but most Anglophiles that I've known to come to the UK realize very quickly that it is very much a part of the real world. I wasn't one of those people, as I've been around the UK my entire life, but still. You catch my drift.
Wow great insight from an actual american. True I didnt really think about the possibilities of interesting conversation that would come up because of my american accent, and yes I considered earlier in the thread the difficulties in explaining where Im from if I use the accent.
Do you really think people lose their enchantment with the UK once they arrive there? I see so many posts on this site of people who are in their third and fourth years at Edinburgh and still speak of the city in magical terms. Im sure the excitement I have for studying in the UK will become less intense as they become more commonplace, but I dont see a reason to lose my enchantment. Im in Rio de Janeiro right now (Im Brazilian-American, and living with my Brazilian grandparents on a gap year) and I can honestly tell you that almost everyone here, most of whom grew up in this city, is still enchanted with it.
Location: Charlottesville, VA, DC, Louisville, KY and Bristol, UK
Posts: 529
Re: Should I Put On a Scottish Accent?
Originally Posted by brazilianrocker
Wow great insight from an actual american. True I didnt really think about the possibilities of interesting conversation that would come up because of my american accent, and yes I considered earlier in the thread the difficulties in explaining where Im from if I use the accent.
Do you really think people lose their enchantment with the UK once they arrive there? I see so many posts on this site of people who are in their third and fourth years at Edinburgh and still speak of the city in magical terms. Im sure the excitement I have for studying in the UK will become less intense as they become more commonplace, but I dont see a reason to lose my enchantment. Im in Rio de Janeiro right now (Im Brazilian-American, and living with my Brazilian grandparents on a gap year) and I can honestly tell you that almost everyone here, most of whom grew up in this city, is still enchanted with it.
I guess I worded that wrong. It's still a beautiful place, much like even though I lived there for four years, I still get chills in Manhattan. It's just that the whole obsession thing tends to fade. You'll have work to do, places to be etc. and it won't be all fairytale, so I just want to make sure when people really want to come to the UK that they realize that it won't solve all of their problems or make them happy by default. But it is fantastic, to be sure!
I just want to make sure when people really want to come to the UK that they realize that it won't solve all of their problems or make them happy by default.
Lol ironically I live right near manhattan. And I find it quite unspectacular, so I see your point. Ive made sure not to fall into the trap of thinking circumstance defines happiness, because of course its attitude, regardless of the circumstance, but still the circumstances can provide new experiences and adventure, which are what Im going for.
May I ask why you decided to go to university in the UK instead of the US?
I just think you might be caught out to start off with unless you're already really nifty with the local slang.
Have to say though that I'm not usually into Americans/American accents, but I have an exchange student in my flat from California and I absolutely LOVE her accent.
Thinking about it I would actually find it hilarious if she started speaking in an English accent, particularly since there are SO many words/phrases that she uses that are different from ours. I don't think even an Anglophile would be able to use all the correct words without spending an extended period of time here. It's up to you, though.
I remember a girl at a party I once went to, that talked pretty convincingly in an American accent...but it got pretty annoying after a while and it was pretty obvious she was faking. It's slightly immature really ! But if that floats your boat then go for it! In my opinion Irish accents are the best. My english teacher had an Irish accent and I always remembered the quotes!
What do you mean by a Scottish accent? A Scottish country doesn't really exist in the sense your thinking of it.. will it be Embra ken? Fife, Glesga, sheep shagging? All different!
I'm from Blackpool with an English accent but my Dads Scottish and have been travelling up there every other week since I was 4 for footballing reasons so when I do go to Scotland I kind of assume a Scottish accent normally, don't really have to think about it, once I get to Carlisle J becomes J etc. But my Scottish accent is West Coast, so even if I was to speak with that accent in Embra I'd still be a bit of an outsider
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Re: Should I Put On a Scottish Accent?
! But if that floats your boat then go for it! In my opinion Irish accents are the best. My english teacher had an Irish accent and I always remembered the quotes!
etc. But my Scottish accent is West Coast, so even if I was to speak with that accent in Embra I'd still be a bit of an outsider 
