do you have an accent that you don't have?

[certainthings]

I live in Canada. I was born in Canada. I was raised in Canada. Mom and Grandparents both from Canada.

And yet, several times people have commented on my English accent, a few on my Scottish accent, once on my Irish accent. I've been asked once if I have a New Zealand accent and the new manager at work asked if I was Spanish. A friend who I've sent a few whatsapp voice messages to said that I sound like Jane Seymour.

I know that we don't hear our voices the way others hear them, but I'm fairly certain that I don't sound like any of the above. I mean, I like the idea of sounding foreign but I honestly don't understand it.

Comments

[eilan.livejournal.com]

I live in a border town, and when we cross into the States, we are forever being picked out as Canadian.
I'm like, we live like 5 miles apart, and we sound different? How does that even make any sense?

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

it doesn't! I don't get it. :/

[hamarakissa.livejournal.com]

Maybe they themselves don't even know what those accents truly sound like? idk - just saying. I get told I have an accent here and there and I say - 'what like a Neveadian, cause I've only ever lived in Nevada.' But then again I let my sarcasm be evil :p

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

Maybe some of them, but one time some guy with an actual Scottish accent asked if I had a Scottish accent. I was really confused by that one.

Hahahahaha.

[donna-c-punk.livejournal.com]

This post reminded me of this:



From 1:25 on.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

hahahahaha. that was good.

[miss-faith-hope.livejournal.com]

I live in Maine but was born in Azores, Portugal raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia until I was twelve when we moved up here. A lot of people tell me when I talk I got this Eureopean accent whatever that means. I don't really notice though I do notice if I'm watching something foreign like Doctor Who, I'll start talking with an British accent.

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

I've been asked a couple of times if I was Australian, and really, what?

[ames1010.livejournal.com]

People sometimes say I sound Canadian. But that's mostly when I'm not in Michigan. I only live an hour from Canada, so maybe that's why.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

Your voice sounds like it's lovely.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

*snorts* Is this by other English people or by like ... tourists?

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

Well, that's a bit odd. Does your husband ever get that?

[ames1010.livejournal.com]

I don't think he does, but I do say my "A"s a bit Canadian-like. And I say "eh" a lot.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

... We have a different way of saying "a"?

[ames1010.livejournal.com]

Compared to much of the rest of the US, yes. To me, no.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

Interesting

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

Once by a tourist at a rock concert, and once by a someone who wasn't English but who has lived in the UK for around seven years, when I think it's pretty obvious I'm a Yorkshire lass :)

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Wow, very interesting. You are a Woman of Mystery, that's what you are. :)

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

I should get a hat like Carmen Sandiego!

[alwaysenduphere.livejournal.com]

no one ever understands what kind of accent i have, myself included. when i lived more north everyone thought i was from kentucky because i do tend to say rather...hick...things. when i moved back home and still to this day, people comment that i sound northern because of the way i pronounce my 'a's. also sometimes people give me funny looks because i tend to say and use british terms for certain things whoops. also i say 'sorry' like a canadian whoops. idk. i pick up accents easily too, so if i've been watching or talking to someone with a thick accent i'll take that on a bit. /shrug

[miss-faith-hope.livejournal.com]

Oh now your just making me blush.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

Amy mentioned that Canadians say a's a certain way, but I'm not sure how it's different. When I watch tv shows/movies when the Americans are talking their a's sound like ours? I mean, unless there's a like a new york or southern accent.

Oooh. Which sort of British terms do you use?

[alwaysenduphere.livejournal.com]

yeah i don't know how to explain it. they're just like...longer? more drawn out and open and less of a nasally sound.

i said 'summat' the other day and then had to explain what i meant. i think that's the most recent. i said 'bricking it' the other day too and no one knew what i meant, either, though, so it could just be the people i spend time with. sometimes i say boot instead of trunk i don't know where i picked that up from. just random things, and not consistently either, just sometimes my brain pulls a different term.

[keeplistening.livejournal.com]

"A FEW VOICE MESSAGES"

[laurondo.livejournal.com]

The only time I've ever been questioned about my accent was when I moved to Canada. A few people said I had an American one... but honestly I never saw the difference between an American and a Canadian one unless the Canadian had a very stereotypical accent. Idk.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

hahaha. it hasn't been THAT many.

[certainthings.livejournal.com]

yes! this is how I feel about the Canadian/American accents. But more for me if the American has an accent. Like New York, Southern, etc.