And I was just yesterday remarking to a friend how I have observed that English accents around the world have been gradually fading away. Don’t believe me? Have a look at QE II’s early speeches and compare her accent to what it was later in life.
Not only that, but English is, by default, the universal language. No matter where you go in the world, you will see signs, aircraft, products and shops with English in their names.
There are several reasons for this, IMO. For one, it has long been a rule that all air traffic controllers must be able to communicate in English. You will also note that virtually all airlines around the world have English on their planes, if not also having the name of the airline in English. And I see English business names that I am familiar with everywhere. Have a Coke, anybody?
Next reason would be the overwhelming influence of Windows for computers. No matter what language a web page is in, there are English control tabs somewhere on the page. And the URL, of course.
As to what has happened to accents, I believe it has to do with the broadcast industry. The most sough-after accent for Television is the “Flat Canadian” accent (not from the Maritimes, they’re the only ones who say “aboot.”) This is due to it being the most widely understood. Hollywood has also done much to contribute to this trend.
Lucky me, I’m a Western Canadian, so it is my native speech. My step-daughter went to England years ago and was billeted with a family in Manchester. Took her more than a week to grasp what they were saying, yet they understood her perfectly from day one.
And I was just yesterday remarking to a friend how I have observed that English accents around the world have been gradually fading away. Don’t believe me? Have a look at QE II’s early speeches and compare her accent to what it was later in life.
Not only that, but English is, by default, the universal language. No matter where you go in the world, you will see signs, aircraft, products and shops with English in their names.
There are several reasons for this, IMO. For one, it has long been a rule that all air traffic controllers must be able to communicate in English. You will also note that virtually all airlines around the world have English on their planes, if not also having the name of the airline in English. And I see English business names that I am familiar with everywhere. Have a Coke, anybody?
Next reason would be the overwhelming influence of Windows for computers. No matter what language a web page is in, there are English control tabs somewhere on the page. And the URL, of course.
As to what has happened to accents, I believe it has to do with the broadcast industry. The most sough-after accent for Television is the “Flat Canadian” accent (not from the Maritimes, they’re the only ones who say “aboot.”) This is due to it being the most widely understood. Hollywood has also done much to contribute to this trend.
Lucky me, I’m a Western Canadian, so it is my native speech. My step-daughter went to England years ago and was billeted with a family in Manchester. Took her more than a week to grasp what they were saying, yet they understood her perfectly from day one.