British people singing in an American accent

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

TK - 08 Aug 2004 23:18 GMT

Hi,

can anyone tell me why a lot of British people tend to suddenly adopt an
American accent when singing? Words like "can't" and "after" are suddenly
pronounced with an American accent, even they are not spoken that way, and
nobody seems to notice it or have a problem with it.

confusing.
John.

Reply to this Message

FB - 08 Aug 2004 22:52 GMT

> Hi,
>
> can anyone tell me why a lot of British people tend to suddenly adopt an
> American accent when singing? Words like "can't" and "after" are suddenly
> pronounced with an American accent, even they are not spoken that way, and
> nobody seems to notice it or have a problem with it.

Well, I love RP (they say I can speak with a good accent), but I must say
it doesn't always sound fine in a song. I don't mean one necessarily has to
adopt an American accent, just to make a few changes: [&u] (& ==> schwa)
sometimes should be replaced by [ou] (which, incidentally, is also used in
some British English accents), for instance.

Moreover, think of "I caaaahn't get no, satisfaction...". It just doesn't
work... (smiling face)

Bye, FB

Signature

"Gli americani sono ignoranti per loro stessa natura"
that is "The Americans are naturally ignorant"
(Paolo Bonardi on it.cultura.linguistica - http://snipurl.com/7ryg)

Reply to this Message

FB - 09 Aug 2004 15:16 GMT

> Well, I love RP (they say I can speak with a good accent), but I must say
> it doesn't always sound fine in a song. I don't mean one necessarily has to
> adopt an American accent, just to make a few changes: [&u] (& ==> schwa)
> sometimes should be replaced by [ou] (which, incidentally, is also used in
> some British English accents), for instance.

Maybe some [t] have to become [d], also.

Bye, FB

Signature

Mrs. Palmer, in her way, was equally angry. 'She was determined to drop his
acquaintance immediately, and she was very thankful that she had never been
acquainted with him at all'. (Jane Austen)

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / British English / August 2004

British people singing in an American accent