Funny thing is, there are thousands of UK accents that are as different from each other as they are from the generic American accent. Granted, there’s variety in the US as well, but the concentration is higher in the UK, as we’ve had towns and villages for thousands of years within 20 miles of each other that had their own unique way of speaking that often only locals can understand without effort.
So yeah, when you say ‘British accent’ that means basically nothing to anyone in the UK.
There is a generic American accent though. News anchors began using it heavily in the 80s because focus groups said it sounded the most neutral and hard to place. It’s basically a NoCal accent.
If anyone doubts this, keep in your head what your idea of a British accent is, then go and find some vids of people talking in the Black Country accent. The old black and white videos are the best - its thought to be the nearest surviving accent from ‘Old’ English.
Funny thing is, there are thousands of UK accents that are as different from each other as they are from the generic American accent. Granted, there’s variety in the US as well, but the concentration is higher in the UK, as we’ve had towns and villages for thousands of years within 20 miles of each other that had their own unique way of speaking that often only locals can understand without effort.
So yeah, when you say ‘British accent’ that means basically nothing to anyone in the UK.
Saying “generic American accent” is about as valuable as someone doing a cockney accent and saying it’s generic British.
Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G72tZdjnS2A
Yeah, you have to say “Bri’ish” or they won’t understand you.
It’s akin to saying “the generic American accent,” Which means absolutely nothing to anyone in the US.
There is a generic American accent though. News anchors began using it heavily in the 80s because focus groups said it sounded the most neutral and hard to place. It’s basically a NoCal accent.
Go tell that to any linguist and get laughed at.
There are more varieties of accents inside London than across the entire US. You understood their point, no need to be pedantic.
Their point is equally pedantic.
also people judge you for your accent a lot more there than in the USA
americans are really only mostly familiar with the posh accent or cockney anyway.
If anyone doubts this, keep in your head what your idea of a British accent is, then go and find some vids of people talking in the Black Country accent. The old black and white videos are the best - its thought to be the nearest surviving accent from ‘Old’ English.