Thread: American or British English?

This question is for people who are not native English speakers (people who are learning English as a foreign language).

Would you prefer to speak with an American accent or a British accent? Why?

I speak with a British accent because

I live in Britain at the moment.
That's what was taught at school..
I am European and European English = British English.

But if I moved to the USA I'd probably gradually switch over... Have no plans for that though...

No CanEHdian?

The Canadian I can remember of right away is Rodney McKay from the Stargate Atlantis TV series. Apart from his ability to speak very fast I couldn’t tell him for something specific in his accent from the other members of the crew.

Originally Posted by alexB

The Canadian I can remember of right away is Rodney McKay from the Stargate Atlantis TV series. Apart from his ability to speak very fast I couldn’t tell him for something specific in his accent from the other members of the crew.

That's because a Canadian accent is not very different from a northern US accent. Also, a lot of the actors in Stargate are actually Canadian. Sam Carter sometimes sounds very Canadian, even though the character is supposed to be American.

Originally Posted by Pretty Butterfly

That's because a Canadian accent is not very different from a northern US accent.

There are also regional differences -- Newfoundland accent is definitely distinct

I prefer American, even though I was taught British at school and I'm European. Seems more logical, easier and sounds better to my ear, so to say.

Originally Posted by quartz

No CanEHdian?

Well "American" includes you in a way, doesn't it? Plus there is an "Other category for OZ, ZA etc.. But I think most learners initially try for either British or American.

I am Swedish and I had a brief fling with American English in my teens after ODing on American TV... but it drives British people craaaaazie to hear a European speak mock-American English, so I had to drop it or be constantly teased. :"": Elevator, sidewalk, pantyhose lol....

I think of Canada as a funky mix of the best from Britain and the best of North America, with fantastic nature. I have a high view of Canada as you can tell. Plus the English spelling is accurate... Every day I am reminded of American spelling as the spell-checker at work force defaults to US and tries to "correct" my spelling.

I loved the film "Canadian Bacon" and I think it's true that there is a slight difference in pronounciation if you listen carefully. But I rarely meet any Canadians!

Crocodile lives in Canada, I believe, although he is originally from some mystery location in the exUSSR (not sure where...)

absolutely love the British accent and its variety. Cockney, Irish English and my beloved Scottish English. Aw, gotta love it

Johanna said:
"I loved the film "Canadian Bacon" and I think it's true that there is a slight difference in pronunciation if you listen carefully. But I rarely meet any Canadians!"

All the Canadian characters were played by Americans and vice-versa.

It's fiction, just like Michael Moore's other movies.

These are REAL Canadians:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsgVspgy184

I love American English. It fascinates me. British English sounds kind of posh

I prefere to speak with British accent, because I was taught it at school and now I am taught it in the university. I have far more difficulties with understanding American accent than British accent.

Originally Posted by Cute Shark

I prefere to speak with British accent, because I was taught it at school and now I am taught it in the university. I have far more difficulties with understanding American accent than British accent.

Is in RB good teaching of English? Without special efforts, only your curriculum - is it enough to understand a British film?

Originally Posted by deker

Is in RB good teaching of English? Without special efforts, only your curriculum - is it enough to understand a British film?

Well, school curriculum is not enough for that, even, if you have a good teacher. But in the university we study quite hard: we have lessons on phonetics, grammar, speech practice, and we have a lot of subjects in English: History of the English language, area studies, lexicology, stylistics, British and American literature and other. So, we have to use English all the time and that is the way we study it. I don't do any special efforts, except communication on forums like this one and watching a lot of films in English, but I don't think, that can be called "special efforts". I understand British films quite good. Not 100%, but almost everything, especially, when pronunciation of actors is clear. So, I think, yes, university teaching of English is good enough in Belarus.

I like the American more. It is easier to pronounce.

Originally Posted by Golden_Sun

I love American English. It fascinates me. British English sounds kind of posh

You haven't listened to enough variants! As a native British English speaker, I would personally expect British English to be more interesting since there is such a wide variety of accents given the surface are of Britain compared to the US. Even I find the number of variants interested - from the West Country to London to the variety of accents in Northern England. And that's just England. I myself have a southern English accent - which I expect is the sort of accent you are familiar with E.g. Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson. They are quite posh.

I do, however, get the impression American English is considerably easier to pronounce. Plus American TV is more widespread and I guess easier to pick up?

I learn the American variant for the following 2 reasons:
1. Ther's not much people in the GB who wants to "languageexchange" with Russians..though I'm certainly for, if one wants to make a try.
2. The American english is a lot more wide-spread in the world and it can be heard almost everywhere. Including TV, movies, and radio programs.

Originally Posted by Golden_Sun

British English sounds kind of posh

Depends on their class or location. Listen to David Beckham.

I worked with Americans a lot, and then it's even difficult to understand English English. They spk lk ths. Besides, Americans are much more open and direct.

We studied British English at school, but I find AmE easier to understand and speak (when I try to imitate BrE pronunciation I feel like an impostor). Maybe it's somehow a little bit closer to the natural Russian accent?