Quote:
Originally Posted by Seltzer
Both the NZ and Australian accents are for the most part non-rhotic, meaning that 'r' is only pronounced after vowels (unlike Scots and most Americans who always pronounce 'r').
You can use the 'fish and chips test' to distinguish between Australian and NZ accents most of the time since there is a poignant difference in the way the short 'i' is pronounced. Australians pronounce it closer to "feesh and cheeps" whereas NZers are more likely to say "fush and chups" on the other end of the spectrum. This is an exaggeration as both tend to find more of a middle ground.
Also, for most Australians 'dance' has the same vowel sound as 'tap' whereas NZers would pronounce 'dance' with the vowel sound of father (closer to Queen's English). I realise this explanation is probably pointless since Scots pronounce tap/dance/father/psalm all with the same vowel sound if I understand correctly.
I'd illustrate more differences if it wasn't awkward to textually represent pronunciation without a common frame of reference (i.e. the IPA which I won't resort to using). I get the feeling there's a youtube video which would do a better job.  |
Thats very acurate on the scot's over pronouncing Rs, I get confused though as you say the word "Dance" sounds like "Tap" with Aussies, and "Dance" sounds like "Father" with NZ'rs, but at the same point in time, it may weird you all out that someone called William gets called Billy here, and the surname "Thomson" (My own) is mostly said like "Tamson" so I kind of get you, I just find it hard to place/imagine the accent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seltzer
I find accents, dialects and language in general to be fascinating. I was reading a book on animal behaviour about 5 years ago which talked about songbirds having regional accents which makes sense given their mechanism of song learning. Maybe tore knows a bit more about it?
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Do you wish you still had your Aussie accent? I'd be pretty distraught if I lost my Scottish accent, truthfully. I find (Like yourself) that I'm pretty fascinated with accents. I'm mostly fascinated by Irish because it's so similar yet so different to my own. Irish, Aussie/NZ (Same thing really to me, sorry if this offends you!) and American!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt
MANCHESTER LA LA LAAAAAAA
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I never knew Manchester was so pretty! :O