As those of you who have watched my interviews know, I have a strange accent. Definitely not Greek, it’s been mistaken for British (by my American friends) and Dutch (by my British ones). Even worse, I seem to unconsciously pick up the accent of the person I’m talking to and mimic that. I blame on the fact I was first taught English at the very early age of two, and on my musical ear: we Corfiots are famous for our love of music and supposed to be good at picking tunes etc.
In any case, I was fascinated by this Mental Floss video by Arika Okrent I came across the other day. The human vocal tract can produce thousands of different sounds but languages use only a tiny subset of them. What happens when you try to speak a language that uses a different subset from your own?
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When I travel overseas my Aussie accent comes through, much more than I expected LOL.
You’re not the only one 🙂
Fascinating video, Nicholas. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Michelle! Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome.
I have an English/Canadian accent, but as soon as I hear an Australian accent, the ‘strine’ is right back … sometimes so strong that even I can hear it. 😀
Lol-happens to the best of us 😀
Before seeing the video, my guess was relying on familiar patterns and sounds. As a former foreign language teacher, I’d hear students committing that sin all of the time.
Saw part of your video, and you sound all Greek to me. But then again I was raised in NYC and have spent way too much time in Greek diners / restaurants.
Despite my public speaking voice and diction, everyone recognizes my NYC accent. For example, “water” is pronounced “WAR-duh” and “coffee” disintegrates into “CAW- fee”.
P.S. I have heard recently that the ability to trill the letter “r” is genetic. Also, people from colder climates tend to keep their mouths and throats closed. As in, speaking through their teeth. I guess that’s the reason Dwarves have a grumpy reputation:-) “Fuhgeddabowddit”
That’s interesting! Thanks 🙂
I add my vote to the “accents are interesting” pile! Great Mental Floss video; I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but it makes so much sense.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Joy! Thank you 🙂
So interesting! Perfectly explained. 🙂
I have a nice collection of some great videos, but am weary of sharing on the blog in case people prefer to read posts instead of watching videos. So, I’m pleased that this one seems to have been enjoyed 🙂
Interesting post! Curiosity prompted me to search out one of your interviews on Youtube. IMO, You do sound like a Greek, albeit a highly educated one. My German mother did not have a traditional accent either, as she had studied Oxford English in school. With her combination of German and British inflections, many people mistook her for Dutch. A few Americans have said my accent is Canadian, which I dispute, having been born and patially raised in Germany. This is a fascinating topic.
I probably should have linked to an interview of mine, come to think of it! Thanks for that 🙂
A fascinating post! One thing I’ve noticed with myself is that I sometimes exaggerate my accent when I’m away from my home region. For example, when I hear myself speak on the West Coast of the USA (where I currently live), it seems like I’m using more of an Eastern/Midwestern accent (I’m originally from the eastern edge of the midwest US). I wonder if I’m subconsciously playing-up my accent in order to confirm my identity, or if my accent feels stronger to me when I’m surrounded by people who don’t share it?
Accents are so fascinating.
The identity aspect in what you describe is particularly interesting!
That’s a great clip, Nicolas, and well illustrated examples too.
Despite being English, I don’t have an accepted ‘English’ accent. Instead, I have a very obvious London accent, which is noticeable to most people in other parts of the UK. However, in very rural or remote areas, where they don’t hear a London accent that much, I am often mistaken for an Australian!
When speaking French in the deep south of France in the 1980s, I was once asked if I was from Paris!
Accents are fascinating indeed.
(Oh, and I think you do have a Greek accent, but that is probably because I already knew you were Greek. 🙂 )
Best wishes, Pete.
Lol-I can do a mean Greek (as in, proper Greek, not the weird amalgam coming from my mouth) accent 😀