Do you know how British people think of American accents? It turns out they don’t like them! In a recent study, Britons found that Americans with a strong American accent tend to be viewed as arrogant and unapproachable. On the other hand, those who have a British accent and speak American Standard English are seen as more intelligent and polite. So what does all this mean for you? It suggests that if you want to make friends in America, it might be best to start by learning some American Standard English.
What do British people think of American accents?
Do you know how British people think of American accents? It turns out they don’t like them! In a recent study, Britons found that Americans with a strong American accent tend to be viewed as arrogant and unapproachable. On the other hand, those who have a British accent and speak American Standard English are seen as more intelligent and polite. So what does all this mean for you? It suggests that if you want to make friends in America, it might be best to start by learning some American Standard English.
The Superiority Of British Accents Over American Ones
- Americans with a British accent are perceived as more intelligent than those speaking an American accent or a strong British accent. This is consistent with previous research showing that Brits rate Americans with a British accent as being more intelligent, compared to those with an American accent.
- Americans who speak a strong British accent are seen as having more power and wealth than those who speak an American accent or a strong British accent. This was true even though all three groups had similar income levels (and in fact, we’re all equally well-off).
- Americans who speak Standard English are seen as having more power and wealth than those who speak an American or strong British accent. This was true even though all three groups had similar income levels (and in fact, we’re all equally well-off).
- Americans speaking Standard English have poorer employment prospects than those who speak an American or strong British accent. This is consistent with previous research showing that people from other countries find it harder to get a job in America if they don’t speak Standard English.
- Americans who speak an American accent are seen as more attractive than those who speak a strong British accent or Standard English. This was true even though all three groups had similar income levels (and in fact, we’re all equally well-off).
- Americans speaking an American accent are perceived as having better health than those speaking a strong British accent or Standard English. This was true even though all three groups had similar income levels (and in fact, we’re all equally well-off).
- Americans with a British accent are considered less trustworthy than those with an American or strong British accent. This is consistent with previous research showing that Brits perceive Americans as arrogant and untrustworthy if they have an American accent.
- Brits think that Americans who speak a strong British accent have poorer health than those who speak Standard English or a strong British accent. Why? It might be because of the studies showing that people from other countries find it harder to get a job in America if they don’t speak Standard English.
- Americans who speak a strong British accent are seen as being fitter and stronger, compared to those who speak an American or strong British accent. This was true even though all three groups had similar income levels (and in fact, we’re all equally well-off).
- Americans with a strong British accent are seen as having better health than those with an American or a strong British accent. Why? It might be because of the studies showing that people from other countries find it harder to get a job in America if they don’t speak Standard English.
- Americans with a British accent are considered more intelligent than those with an American or a strong British accent. Why? It might be because of the studies showing that people from other countries find it harder to get a job in America if they don’t speak Standard English.
How American Standard English Affects Brits’ Opinions Of Americans
- Americans with strong English accents are perceived as arrogant. In the same study, Brits were also asked to rate the intelligence of Americans with a British accent and those with an American accent. While Brits found both groups equally intelligent, they rated the American group more intelligent than those with a British accent.
- Americans speaking Standard English are seen as more intelligent and polite than those speaking American accents. Brits also rated the American group as more polite and intelligent than those with a British accent.
- Americans who speak Standard English are seen as having more power and wealth than those who speak an American accent or British accent. This was true even though all three groups had similar income levels (and in fact, we’re all equally well-off).
- Americans speaking an American accent have poorer employment prospects than those who speak Standard English or British accents. This is consistent with previous research showing that people from other countries find it harder to get a job in America if they don’t speak Standard English.
- Americans with a British accent are seen as more polite than those with an American accent. This is consistent with the study showing that Brits find Americans with a British accent to be more intelligent and polite.
- Americans speaking an American accent are less likely to be invited to parties, compared to those speaking Standard English or British accents.
- Americans who speak an American accent are considered less trustworthy than those speaking Standard English or British accents. This is consistent with the previous findings that Brits perceive Americans as arrogant and untrustworthy if they have an American accent.
- Brits think that Americans who speak an American accent have poorer health than those who speak Standard English or British accents. Why? It might be because of the studies showing that people from other countries find it harder to get a job in America if they don’t speak Standard English, so they may also find it harder to get health care in America if they don’t speak Standard English.
Conclusion
British people are opinionated and have a strong sense of hierarchy. They think that American accents are “better” than their own and that other accents are inferior. In the given study, it was found that American Standard English affects Brits’ opinions of Americans. Americans are thought to be superior in terms of grammar and vocabulary, while British accents are thought to be less articulate.