Typically British...

[PeteC]

Do the yanks or other countries have such broad regional accents? Within an hours drive of me there's Manc, Scouse, Brummy, Yorkshire and Stoke (which is the worst accent in Britain, bar none)

Some, but not all that many. There's the South of course with it's own drawling accent. Then Texas which is a bit different. The rest..i.e., the west coast, northeast and mid-west you have to have a keen ear to pick up the slight difference in word pronunciation. I can tell you if someone has lived in Southern California for a long time, as well as in the San Francisco area. Then there are difference between Philadelphia Pa., and Pittsburgh Pa. and New Jersey, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont etc., all have slight differences but as an outsider your ear may not even pick it up. Pete

[Spitfire]

I think the official US accent is called 'General American' which is the Boston accent, if I remember correctly.

[BaaBaa.]

What about that New York, Sopranos "cwaaafee" accent Pete? Or is that Noo Joysey?

[Lung Per]

What about that New York, Sopranos "cwaaafee" accent Pete? Or is that Noo Joysey?

Many moons ago I lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. near 1st Ave. and 33rd St and the birds were singing all day long. Now try to pronounce that with a Brooklyn accent! Think of Jimmy Durante if you are old enough to remember him. To some it resembles a New Jersey accent and then they are different to the delicate ear. People of Italian descent, of which there were many when I lived there, seem to have the same accent in N.Y. and New Jersey (hence the Sopranos). People of Jewish descent in Brooklyn vud hrave ze same accent as Jewish people living elsewhere in N.Y. That came from Jiddisch which they all spoke in those days. Jiddisch resembles German. Heritage plays a major role - at least it did in the 1960'es.
Undt you vill believe me!

[Lung Per]

Now, about different English accents within the U.K.: There are undoubtedly accent differences based on regions. However, I find the greatest differences in the English language accents are based on social heritage and schooling. If you come from a working class or low social status neighborhood anywhere in the U.K. and you didn't break out of it, you will most likely speak in a manner only your "mates" recognize and your vocabulary will most likely be limited. The opposite point is an Oxford scholar, who will have an exquisite and tasteful pronounciation, an extensive vocabulary and corresponding refined manners.
Please don't take offense fellas ,people with a foul langauge can (perhaps) be good people, too.


(humor, irony and/or sarcasm may apply to the above)

[dtaai-maai]

... an Oxford scholar, who will have an exquisite and tasteful pronounciation, an extensive vocabulary and corresponding refined manners.

Very subjective. (And quite inaccurate these days).
I almost prefer Estuary English to the sort of English you're referring to. (No, cancel that!)
As to the manners: such people can also be hugely arrogant and elitist.
You pays your money and you takes your choice...

[Vital Spark]

Oi rarver loike the Oxford (received pronunciation) accent - as long as it's combined with charm and manners.

Estuary English can also be charming in a kind of 'rough diamond' kind of way (innit), as long as... ditto above.

I do hope that the UK doesn't lose the hugely varied (but not always pleasant to the ear) accents. They're typically British.

VS

[dtaai-maai]

^^ Bloomin yokel

[Siani]

Have we mentioned Morris dancers?

[BaaBaa.]

Have we mentioned Morris dancers?

Have we mentioned Morris Minors?

[kendo]

Kendo..If tha's doin' nawt reet now, tha' must oppent that theer lappy-top 0 theer-ers ant rake thu' U-tube vids till thee finds 'Yorkshire Airlines' wiv Hale & Pace.. Ee lad, beltin' video, ma ferret wet it-sen on't third viewin', n ah reckon ah did ont foo-ath. ( It'll tek thee airf-a-dozen tarms befoar tha' gets't jist on it mind.) Well ah mort dally on 'ere to long, ahs gotten't tractor t' waam-up, then we're reet fur tekkin't warf shoppin'..Baa fe noo lad.

Quality US quality,
Have you heard about that Yorkshire rave drug E-by-gum.

Kendo.

[kendo]

This one



Avin a right tin bath when they made that.
Kendo.

[Siani]

Have we mentioned Morris dancers?

Have we mentioned Morris Minors?

Morris Minors ......Are those what they call small children who do Morris dancing BaaBaa?

[Frank Hovis]

Findus Crispy Pancakes

(soon to be owned by Charoen Pokphand so we might be able to taste the Seventies again and burn our mouths on super-heated 'cheese')

[dtaai-maai]

That's one pleasure that must have passed me by...
Nice to see you're keeping your finger on the pulse of the crucial developments in global cuisine, Frank!

Fish fingers?