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To come back atcha, the first guide we had in Savannah was an Englander. Go figure!
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Personally, I think it really depends on where in the United Kingdom you are from, that influences your speaking accent. With the "Inspector Morse" series, the BBC's "Antique Road Show" and the actors/actresses of the United Kingdom--there are times when the accent is noticable. HRM Queen Elizabeth II's interview for a special with Barbara Walters from the USA; she speaks so delightful. When I was recovering from life saving surgery--I recovered near a girl to whom had an English mother. It was so peaceful, pleasant it was so relaxing to listen to--even when the curtain was drawn, I would drift in and out of sleep.
However, in mentioning that your accent is not like the one of 'Col. Freemantle' -- I have heard that way of speaking and accent before and would be interested to know where he might be from. I do realize New Zelanders are often mistaken for British, as their accents are very clear and British like--however, what British exposure I have (limited but, I do admire all of you); is more 'toned down.' So, I would enjoy your comments and observations on the actor who played Col. Freemantle in Gettysburg film/DVD and would the Cold Stream Guards have members from many regions of the Victorian United Kingdom in their ranks?
Well Col. Freemantle was an officer in the Guards, as such he would be a member of the landed gentry. Even today Guards officers are expected to have a private income. His accent in the movie is quite correctly pure public school English. The men in his regiment were and still are recruited from all parts of the UK. The other ranks would not have the same accent as Freemantle. The class system in 1860's Britain was quite distinct. If you read the book 'The Killer Angels', Freemantle in his thoughts compares the class system in the south with that of Britain. Freemantle is even reluctant to shake hands prefering to bow.
Different parts of the UK most certainly do have different accents. The accent can change quite dramatically within a few miles. Even within the same county there are marked differences.
Take Lancashire as an example. Liverpool and Manchester were both inside the historic boundaries of the county. But compare Liverpool (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) with Manchester (Noel and Liam Gallacher, Daphne from Frasier) and there are considerable differences. People from my own area have to try very hard to be understood in the south of England.
The differences are also quite distinct in other parts of the British Isles. The Glasgow accent (Billy Connolly) is much stronger than the softer accent of the Scottish Highlands. I worked with a highlander a few years ago. His grandfather lived in the Western Isles and could speak very little English. Gaelic was his native tongue.
The Hollywood Irishman usually speaks with a rural County Cork accent (top o' the morning to yer!). Again this is completely different to the Dublin accent or harsh Ulster accent. Road signs in Ireland are written in English and Gaelic. Interestingly, most Irish people I have known just find the Gaelic part annoying. This is because it makes the signs difficult to read.
My own accent is sometimes mistaken for that of south Wales (Tom Jones). I can find no adequate explaination for this. Welsh is spoken throughout Wales, often as the first language. There is even a Welsh television channel.
I have heard or read it said that the American accent comes from the south west of England (Devon, Cornwall). Not sure if that is true, but the Pilgrim Fathers did sail from Devon.
As a note my experiance w/ the UK armed forces is restricted to some paras & a batch of RAF maintainers... there was a Brit test pilot too but IIRC he was a Scot. The variety of accents suprised me to no end, I had expected one not a half dozen or so.
There was this little tiny gal, a maintainer, who had the wildest of the accents. I had a hell of a time understanding her. She said she was from the worst part of London, where the bobbies never went.
__________________
Shane Christen
American Legion Post 352
SUVCW Camp Abernethy# 48
Lifetime NRA member
3rd MN VI
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Eccl 1:18
Well, I gotta couple a wooden niickels and a few chits for a free beer. Would that be a fair exchange?
ole
I'll take the wooden nickels. It would help to start a fire
when we are in winter quarters. As for the beer, I'll pass. Be glad to have a cup of coffee with you though.
His accent in the movie is quite correctly pure public school English.
Woiuld you care to deviate from the thread a bit more and explain what, in England, is a public school?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
The term public school is a little confusing. This is not a school attended by the general public in the area, but is a school with fees. Usually very expensive. Without checking on his background, I would guess Col. Freemantle attended either Eton, Harrow or Rugby. Gentlemanly behaviour and sporting prowess would be valued as highly as academic achievement in such schools.
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