T
The Seeker of Good Songs
Guest
I was just listening to the radio and the historian/writer Paul Johnson was discussing his book about George Washington (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/006075365X/qid=1118942280/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-8816864-5528916?v=glance&s=books)
and the host asked him why Americans do not speak like he (Paul Johnson, an Englishman). Implying when/how did the accent change - why do Americans not speak with the English accent.
Mr Johnson said it is because the English changed the way they spoke. That the "American" accent is more true to the accent that the Brithish and colonists had in the 1700's. He said that the colonists/Americans were more conservative and it was the British that changed.
Just his opinion, I guess, but not anything I had ever heard before. I thought it interesting.
and the host asked him why Americans do not speak like he (Paul Johnson, an Englishman). Implying when/how did the accent change - why do Americans not speak with the English accent.
Mr Johnson said it is because the English changed the way they spoke. That the "American" accent is more true to the accent that the Brithish and colonists had in the 1700's. He said that the colonists/Americans were more conservative and it was the British that changed.
Just his opinion, I guess, but not anything I had ever heard before. I thought it interesting.
