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How to do a British Accent
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jrodriguez315
A Hundred Dozen


Joined: 26 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:43 pm    Post subject: How to do a British Accent Reply with quote

Those of you from Britain (Banksey?). I'd be interested in your thoughts on this although it takes a bit of patience since the darn thing is broken into 28 parts.,

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-speak-with-a-british-accent-225857/
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Mike Cooper
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have three words for you, and unfortunately they're "Dick van Dyke".

She certainly has a lot to say for herself, but none of it sounds like anyone I've ever heard anywhere on this island, sorry. Which is a shame, because she's trying really hard.

The problem with doing "a British accent" is that there isn't one. For a country this size, we have an astonishing breadth of accent and - equally important, dialect: even within England itself, someone from Manchester sounds utterly different to someone from Birmingham. Someone from London sounds totally foreign compared to someone from Newcastle, and so on. Then again, many would argue that it's the "Geordie" who sounds like the foreigner…

An example: I grew up in the West Midlands, where dialect is as strong as the accent that comes with it. "How are you doing?", when addressed to a friend, comes out broadly as: "Owm yer gooin arr bab?" The latter is indisputably British – in fact it can probably trace itself back to the Anglo Saxons much better than "I say, good fellow, could you spare the time?" – but very few people would understand me. And the interesting thing is that these accents and dialects are enjoying something of a resurgence, rather than dying out in the multimedia world as was predicted.

The closest thing you're going to get to a generic "British accent" is "RP" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Received_pronunciation), and that's generally thought of as very colonial/public school (in the British sense of "public school") and dated in the UK. Even the BBC World Service doesn't favour it anymore (listen to the BBC news bulletin on my website and you might be surprised!) Overseas people will still recognise RP as "British", but it really depends on your market, and it's unlikely to make you sound cool or "street" (innit?)

Then again, if your market can't tell the difference then does it really matter? After all, people have been getting away with "pseudo-accents" for years that no one would recognise as completely correct (viz Daphne and - more so - her relatives, in Frasier). If no one knows, shut up and keep talking…

If you're really interested in how British people speak, take a look at this excellent page:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/recordings/index.shtml

It's the language map from the BBC's Voices project. You could spend hours, but just a few minutes spent digging around should be enough to convince you!

If you want to speak RP then there are many language coaches, books and so on that will teach it – and at least it's an accepted form of speech which doesn't vary. But if you want to speak with a "British accent", then the bottom line is that you're going to have to pick one (from dozens) and work on it to get it sounding authentic!
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


Joined: 20 Jun 2005
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I lost the will to live.

Forgive me saying this, I'll say it only once using my best British vernacular.

Actors and Voices in the USA spend far too much time and money on Coaches who for the most part make a living talking total bollocks! Take responsibility for your own career development, learn the best way you can and stop listening to garbage.

Ever wondered why I give my knowledge away? Because it's worthless to the majority.

Now - How to play the flute

Blow in one end and move your fingers up and down the keys on the outside.
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Moe Egan
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Brilliant Banksey! I shall go and purchase a flute today. I'm sure I will be the next Ian Anderson...or Ron Burgundy. Great Odin's raven!
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roger
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Joined: 30 May 2007
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr. Banks (Maestro),
How much do I owe you for the music lesson. I've already sent in my application for the New York Philharmonic and am looking forward to my new career as first chair flautist or do you need to do a demo for me.
Thanks and you make it all so simple, as well.
-roger
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glittlefield
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm of the mindset that accents can't be so much taught as observed and absorbed.

About that flute thing. Does it matter which end you blow into? I've sent my demo to the New York Philharmonic as well and told them I'd play for 10% of whatever Roger bid.
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NO LOWBALLING!! For hot tips and a rate card check out flute123.com
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Moe Egan
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

LOL

Oh my head that made me laugh.
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bobsouer
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Laugh Laugh Laugh

Me too, Moe!
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todd ellis
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i am NO LOWBALLER, sir!


... and i'll do it for 10% of greg's 10%
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Deirdre
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Joined: 10 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Americans who claim to do a "Cockney" accent make me want to shriek.

Dick Van Dyke, indeed!

By the way, I know all 3 British accents.
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Moe Egan
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

1. Monty Python
2. Harry Potter
3. Dick Van Dyke

Ninja
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Moe Egan
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paddyo
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Moe Egan wrote:
I shall go and purchase a flute today. I'm sure I will be the next Ian Anderson...


Who knows Moe. If you get really good, you might even be the next Jethro Tull!!!

Paddyo
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

She's going to invent the seed drill?
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Moe Egan
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian Anderson played the flute as part of Tull...duh! (or...am I missing some snappy bi-continental wry ribbing from Paddy and Pip?) Shocked
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