Will you pick up an Australian accent?

[ticktock]

Originally Posted by mutikonka

Something else to ponder before you pack up and move down under ... do you think you will start talking Strine? I don't mean using phrases like "G'day", more just the accent. I didn't think I would, but this week a colleague recently arrived from Cardiff took me for an Aussie. Not sure what to think of that!
For myself, I've noticed that people with what I would call 'neutral' English accents tend to pick up a noticeable Aussie inflexion, whereas people with from places like Scotland tend to retain their native accent.
What do you think?

mrs tock talks to everyone in their own accent so i m sure she ll have and aussie accent before she leaves the airport. i talk aussie when i speak on to phne to my sister in brissy so i guess were stuffed

[maxxangel]

You know, it will be interesting to find out. Apparently I speak posh for where I live, so I thought I was always neautral. However, a few years back when I was on holiday with my sister they guessed we were from Derbyshire; so I obviously have some sort of accent. I also pick up certain words from people I'm with regularly without realising who it came from.

So conclusion is: I would like to retain my accent, but have a feeling I'll start losing it. My kids are only 4 and 6 so they don't stand a chance. Hubby talks to everyone in their own accent.

[THE JONEZYS]

In our time here, I have met people South of Watford who have been here less than 2 years and sound true blue Ausie. I have also met peeps from up t' North who have been here 30 years who still have a very strong North of England accent.
My 8 yo comes out of school every nite sounding proper Ocker!!
1/2 hour at home with his Essex Bird mum.........n I av im talkin propa English agen!!
Lesley

[koala12]

This is an interesting one. A friend of mine moved to Melbourne over 20 years ago and sounds as if she was born in Oz whereas a friend I have made recently in Sydney has been here 27 years and still has her strong Welsh accent! We have been here just over a year and I have noticed that my daughter has now developed a slight Aussie twang and sometimes I catch myself sounding a bit twangy too!!! It is a very easy accent to slip into I think and I guess some people are just more susceptible to picking up accents than others........will be interesting to have an annual check up of PIO to see who's sounding more Aussie year by year!!
Karen

[ali]

Met a lady from Wigan the other day been here 20 years and sound like she's just arrived. My son (8) is starting to get an aussie accent and my daughter sounds aussie when she gets home from school. Like you Karen I sometimes hear an odd twang in my voice (normally if I've seen alot of aussies that day).

Ali

[Rachel83]

This is an interesting one!

I've only been here six months but when I speak to my Nan on the phone she reckons I've picked up a bit of a twang. Also when I've been on the phone (particularly to my brother) to anyone back in the UK or hanging round the PIOers here my Aussie friends and OH tell me I sound like a proper pom! So I guess my accent must be diluted otherwise they wouldn't notice a difference?

Saying that though one of the clients at work the other day asked me if I was from Cheshire! He's from Yorkshire but has lived in Oz for years but picked up my accent spot on (I'm from Crewe). I was amazed! Especially considering I've not lived there really for nearly 5 years what with Uni and travelling! So I'm glad I've not lost it altogether, and don't think I ever will.

I get quite a few blanks looks because of the way I pronounce anything with a U in it over here, any other northerners experience the same thing?

I still confuse people with the whole dinner and tea (instead of lunch and dinner) thing as well!

[NIGEL]

Originally Posted by Rachel83

This is an interesting one!

I've only been here six months but when I speak to my Nan on the phone she reckons I've picked up a bit of a twang. Also when I've been on the phone (particularly to my brother) to anyone back in the UK or hanging round the PIOers here my Aussie friends and OH tell me I sound like a proper pom! So I guess my accent must be diluted otherwise they wouldn't notice a difference?

Saying that though one of the clients at work the other day asked me if I was from Cheshire! He's from Yorkshire but has lived in Oz for years but picked up my accent spot on (I'm from Crewe). I was amazed! Especially considering I've not lived there really for nearly 5 years what with Uni and travelling! So I'm glad I've not lost it altogether, and don't think I ever will.

I get quite a few blanks looks because of the way I pronounce anything with a U in it over here, any other northerners experience the same thing?

I still confuse people with the whole dinner and tea (instead of lunch and dinner) thing as well!

Hi
My OH Nigel is from Bolton, and they take the micky out of his accent at work especially when saying Monday (Munday) they say he really pronounces the U. also when we order pick up pizza's i have to phone up as they cant understand him.

Karen

[mutikonka]

Had my workmates in stitches the other day when I answered a call from my son and unconsciously started speaking to him in my 'real' Yorskhire accent. They asked me why I was mimicking the Monty Pythons Three Yorkshiremen sketch.
I think I have toned down my Yorkshire accent a bit in the years I have been here - just so that Aussies can understand what I'm saying. Not sure I have picked up an Aussie accent, though, more just the pattern of speaking.
And yet I still can't bring myself to say 'G'day' or call anyone 'mate' without sounding like a phoney.

[Tyke]

Still nearly full on Yorkshire accent here after 7 years.
I do use a few of the sayings here though like "Yooooouuu Beauty" and so on.

Don't try too hard though as it does sound false.

My daughter has completely lost he accent and is a full Aussie chatterbox now..........the word "Heaps" is used a lot

[Rachel83]

haha yes I've said 'heaps' a few times, and 'awesome!'

Karen that's exactly what I meant about pronouncing the U, I always struggle ordering duck, and the aussies laugh at the way I say bugs and kookaburra!!