I don't see it as a dis to America, but I do see the irony of a man who made his millions singing in a clearly American accent having a problem with the mere thought of his kids speaking with one. ;~D

but I do see the irony of a man who made his millions singing in a clearly American accent having a problem with the mere thought of his kids speaking with one

Good point! Definitely ironic!

From a completely outsiders point of view, it's not that hard to pick up either accents. I suppose British accent sounds grander or more sophisticated, they have such airs and they think their pronunciation of words is the absolutely correct one.

If you stay anywhere long enough you can pick up either accent but you can always revert to your original local one soon enough. Most of my friends who went overseas for higher degrees came back with a different accents, but they were soon back to being local when they were with friends and family.

Perhaps what he means about his daughter, he doesn't want her to pick up the slang they keep hearing on TV - those LA Paris Hilton, OC spoilt kids accents.

He's not being very specific or he's ignorant: not the whole of US speaks with the same accent.

but I do see the irony of a man who made his millions singing in a clearly American accent having a problem with the mere thought of his kids speaking with one. ;~D

I never saw it as imitation, but rather the fact that singing gives its own intonation to a voice, that makes the origin hard to place since the song is usually metered.

Perhaps what he means about his daughter, he doesn't want her to pick up the slang they keep hearing on TV - those LA Paris Hilton, OC spoilt kids accents. He's not being very specific or he's ignorant: not the whole of US speaks with the same accent

You could be right there Raven! Maybe he doesn't realise that not all of America sound like they do in LA!! Nice to see you btw!

I never saw it as imitation, but rather the fact that singing gives its own intonation to a vo

I dont' think he was referrering to it as imitation Doc, rather that he himself doesn't sing with a British accent, rather an American sounding one! Someone wrote that article the other day, or mentioned it in a comment!

One can mimic many different accents...you just have to try. Although, I have trouble keeping my British one going without slipping into Australian. I'm not sure why.

~Zoo

WTF? Every song is "metered", Yoda - meaning it has a beat. You obviously don't know anything about music. But it's funny that you act like you do.

You obviously don't know anything about music. But it's funny that you act like you do.

I dont act like I do, nor do I pretend I do.  I made a comment based upon my personal experiences.  To you that is being a know it all?  Funny, I have not seen anyone slamming you for talking about children even though you are childless.  Are we to only discuss that with which we are supposedly know it alls on?

And if metered is the wrong term, fine.  I never claimed authority.  Having a beat?  Yes, that is what I meant and used the term metered.  If you want to call cat wailing singing, that is your perogative.  I personally dont listen to that kind of trash, so have no experience with it.  I was only speaking of what I consider singing, not what the experts (yourself included no doubt) consider to be singing.

"Someone wrote that article the other day, or mentioned it in a comment!"

Oh yeah, ParaTed wrote that article!...[duh moment!!]

I respectfully disagree. You act like an authority on everything you discuss on this entire site. You make blanket pronouncements that don't make much sense and act like it's law, but then when someone disagrees and points out a flaw in your statement you say "that's not what I said" when it's painfully, clearly what you did, in fact, say.

To return to your original statement, I'd love for you to explain how singing on the beat forces the accent out of someone. Please, expound - because it makes no sense whatsoever.

I always figured it worked the same way a regular accent worked - whatever you hear is what you start speaking. If you always hear a southern accent, you will speak a southern accent without realizing it.

Likewise, if you listen to American bands you will sing with an American accent, because that's what you're used to.

The singing and talking voice are disconnected that way.

That's just my theory, though.

You act like an authority on everything you discuss on this entire site

Stating an opinion is acting like an Authority?  I guess we have a lot of authorities here.  And when I correct someone for trying to put words into my mouth (something I did not say, nor even meant to say), now I am the one that did not realize what I meant to say?  Somehow, you have just made yourself an authority on what people mean to say.  Because you stated your opinion on a subject and decided that I was wrong.  Good for you.  Pot meet kettle.

Now perhaps, if you will allow me, I can state my own opinion.  And not what you want me to say?  or is that not allowed by the new authority either? 

Do I have to proclaim a level of expertise before stating an opinion?  Or is that just going to be assumed by you?  Please enlighten me on the new rules of blogdom, that you appear now to be the expert on.  Oh, and while you are at it, please tell me what I mean with this post.  I am just a good ole boy that dont know nuthin about burping blogs.

Most English-speakers speak with an American accent. If you want to be a little exotic - and doesn't everyone - you have to speak with an alternative. Upper-class British is as prestigious as they get.



You can, but you don't always. It depends on how closely you mimic the style. There was a big debate in Aussie hip hop during the last decade over accents. Some groups rapped with American accents, some with Australian ones.

I don't think either one actually won the debate, but there's no doubt the Australian-accented groups have had more success domestically.

An accent is sometimes an expression of cultural solidarity. Those who felt more at home with the American cultural notions behind American rapping tended to use an American accent, those who felt more of the Aussie vibe tended to rap with an Australian accent.

Off-topic:
Personally I prefer Aussie hip hop to anything coming out of the US. It's way more laidback and fun. On a sidenote if you want to check it out have a search for pretty much anything by the Hilltop Hoods, but 'Fridays' by Matty B is also a great Friday song (funny that!). If you're into political rap the Herd are pretty awesome, especially their track 'I was only 19', which is a cover of the old Redgum classic.

You have heard Dynamaso then, right?

Actually, I like his style more than anything produced on this side of the pond too.

always figured it worked the same way a regular accent worked - whatever you hear is what you start speaking. If you always hear a southern accent, you will speak a southern accent without realizing it.

I thought so too. It's kind of hard not to do that isn't it?!

Most English-speakers speak with an American accent

Good point! I did at times when I lived in Jamaica! Of course I switched between American, British or French....depending on who I used to hang out with!!

An accent is sometimes an expression of cultural solidarity.

Good point!

Off-topic:Personally I prefer Aussie hip hop to anything coming out of the US. It's way more laidback and fun. On a sidenote if you want to check it out have a search for pretty much anything by the Hilltop Hoods, but 'Fridays' by Matty B is also a great Friday song (funny that!). If you're into political rap the Herd are pretty awesome, especially their track 'I was only 19', which is a cover of the old Redgum classic.

I like when rap is fun too! I don't think I've heard their music...maybe Maso mentioned their names in a comment...sounded familiar.

You have heard Dynamaso then, right?

JC Ronikal rules !!


[and I'm not ignoring you guys San Cho and Doc's disagreement...I'm just letting you sort it out betwixt the two....freedom of opinions and all!]