The truth is that at the time of the American Revolution, both British and colonists spoke with something close to today’s American accent. What you think of as the British accent was a much later affectation of the British upper class that was then adopted by the common classes. It’s a common movie mistake to have 18th century British speaking with a “British” accent.
Keep in mind there’s lots of different “English” accents. Despite being smaller in both area and population, the UK offers at least as much diversity in accents as the US.
The closest you can get today to the standard accent from the American colonies and 18th-century Britain is, unfortunately, mid-South (Carolinas and Tennessee).
One of my first encounters with a Brit was over 50 years ago in Germany when an Englishman, dressed all in tweeds, said to me “Cheery bye”. That’s when I realized there really are such people, not just Hollywood imitations.
jgarrott over 11 years ago
This is a re-run from several years back.
Katiekicks over 11 years ago
I agree with Teena. I have a killer English accent that my friends love having me show off. I wish Americans talked that way!
MeGoNow Premium Member over 11 years ago
The truth is that at the time of the American Revolution, both British and colonists spoke with something close to today’s American accent. What you think of as the British accent was a much later affectation of the British upper class that was then adopted by the common classes. It’s a common movie mistake to have 18th century British speaking with a “British” accent.
cbrsarah over 11 years ago
@gmartin997Don’t you mean Johnny Depp?
Wizard4168 over 11 years ago
Keep in mind there’s lots of different “English” accents. Despite being smaller in both area and population, the UK offers at least as much diversity in accents as the US.
runar over 11 years ago
The closest you can get today to the standard accent from the American colonies and 18th-century Britain is, unfortunately, mid-South (Carolinas and Tennessee).
pschearer Premium Member over 11 years ago
One of my first encounters with a Brit was over 50 years ago in Germany when an Englishman, dressed all in tweeds, said to me “Cheery bye”. That’s when I realized there really are such people, not just Hollywood imitations.