User Comments - xiaophil
xiaophil
Posted on: Kaixin Wang Farm Thieves
October 30, 2009 at 3:57 AMsebire
The Midwest accent, the most common and homogenous accent in America, is indeed rhotic. However, the Midwest accent does not have a drawl. The Southern dialects, the ones most similar to British English (relatively speaking), are the ones that may have a drawl (see Forrest Gump). They are non-rhotic.
And with that, I'll let the debate go too ;).
Posted on: Kaixin Wang Farm Thieves
October 29, 2009 at 2:51 PMTal,
You could be right about the Elizabeth part. That info was all from my fuzzy memory.
Anyway, I was trying to come up with a witty way to express that England was always more than America's aircraft carrier, but decent wit escapes me as my wife is nagging me. So... I'll just say, "Of course the land of the best 70's prog groups rocks!"
pretzellogic
Hahahahahaha!
Posted on: Kaixin Wang Farm Thieves
October 29, 2009 at 7:54 AMsebire
I think most of the authentic American Southern accents sound totally different than the Midwest ones. Actually, Southern accents often retain English influence that the North does not. There was once a study that tried to determine which English accent sounded the most like what Queen Victoria would have spoke. They determined that a dialect from Virginia beat out every dialect in the UK! That said, I almost guarantee you sound more like how Queen Victoria did than I. So what I'm saying is, I am skeptical about your theory that American English has a common theme (especially since I don't have a drawl).
*ducks and hides back beneath the table*
What a tangent I have involved myself in.
PS: I can't speak for anyone else, but when I say someone speake 'British English', I mean it sounds like that person comes from a particularly large island off of continental Europe. I don't really mean to suggest all accents conform.
Posted on: Kaixin Wang Farm Thieves
October 29, 2009 at 4:41 AMBababardwan, fantastic example! (It really made me chuckle.)
I think it goes like this: people in the UK never say "British" accent because it would be silly to, so they thing it sounds funny when Americans and other English speakers do because they aren't used to it. In America it is the same way. I never EVER talk about a person's "American" accent, but I might very well talk about a person's thick "Southern" accent. At the same time, I have never heard a Brit say to me, "Oh, is that a Midwest accent you have?" No, they only talk about my "American" accent.
I can relate to the Brits, though. I think it is strange that (American) football and rugby are the same word in Chinese (橄榄球). They are not the same sport!
Posted on: Kaixin Wang Farm Thieves
October 29, 2009 at 4:15 AMSorry, there is a British accent. Maybe you think it is wrong, but I can't imagine why. If you have a British accent, that means you have have an accent that is associated with Britain. That doesn't mean that there is only one accent in Britain, i.e. yes, there is still an English accent that is distinct from the Scottish accent. To put it another way, I have an American accent and a Midwest accent, but in no way do I have a Southern (American) accent.
Okay, I'm going to duck for cover before my 英国同学们 throw books my way ;-).
Posted on: Funny Business 5
October 28, 2009 at 1:39 AMpchenery
This should have been said a long time ago, but I really, really like your suggestion for an ending. I used to love the movie Groundhog Day.
Posted on: Anybody home?
October 26, 2009 at 9:06 AMJust one more thing. Halloween has always been fun for me and just about everyone I know. I've always felt fortunate that we Americans celebrate this holiday. As America's Mexican population grows, I hope we universally adopt Day of the Dead. The more holidays that aren't just drinking and/or eating dinner with family, the better (not that there is anything wrong with booze, food and family).
I know. I'm straying.
Posted on: Anybody home?
October 26, 2009 at 8:20 AMouyili
Oh come on, be nice. The customs of Samhain are obviously more fun than whatever people are supposed to do on All Saints Day. We Americans are just going back to the original traditions that the Church tried to cover up. And by the way, it is first and foremost about dressing up. Candy is just the icing on the top (no pun intended). Don't be so bah-humbug!
Posted on: Thank You Note
November 11, 2009 at 7:13 AMOn a related note, the following drawing is of a number I have seen many times in China.
What number do you think it is? If you are a Westerner, my guess is you will say 6. Chinese always tell me it is 4. Be careful when Chinese quickly write down phone numbers.