a/the American (or British) accent

[White Hat]

Is it possible to use just the definite article with the word "accent" at all times when talking about someone's English? I mean can we say "He speaks with the American accent"? Or do we have to use "a", rather?
By "accent" I mean the brand of English one has been speaking.
Thank you in advance.

 

[bhaisahab]

Is it possible to use just the definite article with the word "accent" at all times when talking about someone's English? I mean can we say "He speaks with the American accent"? Or do we have to use "a", rather?
By "accent" I mean the brand of English one has been speaking.
Thank you in advance.

Do you mean "dialect" rather than "accent"?

 

[Barb_D]

I'd say no. I can rattle off at least a dozen regional accents in the US, so there is no single accent.

However, even if there were only one accent, I'd still use "a" to mean "an accent that is American."

 

[emsr2d2]

There are many different American accents (accents which are used by American people), and many different English accents etc.

If you mean, for example, that someone says "sidewalk" instead of "pavement" then you simply say that they speak American English, not British English. Their accent is irrelevant.

 

[SoothingDave]

No, use "a" or "an." Even if the accent is well defined and singular, you still do not say "the."

 

[Barb_D]

There are many different American accents (accents which are used by American people), and many different English accents etc.

If you mean, for example, that someone says "sidewalk" instead of "pavement" then you simply say that they speak American English, not British English. Their accent is irrelevant.

Good point. I was thinking pronunciation. Even so, whether you say "faucet" versus "tap" or "sack" versus "bag" will vary based on where in the US you are. I expect the same is true in other countries where English is widely spoken. (I mean, with the words that vary there, not necessarily faucets and bags.)

 

[White Hat]

Would that be a sort of mistake to say "He speaks American English", meaning the person was born and bred in the US and does pronounce the r's, for instance?

 

[5jj]

Would that be a sort of mistake to say "He speaks American English", meaning the person was born and bred in the US and does pronounce the r's, for instance?

I would take it to mean that he uses distinctively American vocabulary and grammar. One can attempt to speak British English with an American accent, and American English with a British accent.

 

[SoothingDave]

Would that be a sort of mistake to say "He speaks American English", meaning the person was born and bred in the US and does pronounce the r's, for instance?

I think it's just fine to speak of an American accent in general. It will vary from Texas to New York, but it wouldn't be mistaken for London or Cardiff.

 

[White Hat]

Do you mean "dialect" rather than "accent"?

I mean the way the person pronounces different words. And I got it now!

 

[Barb_D]

By the way, there are American accents that don't pronounce the "non pre-vocalic r" -- I still answer to "Bob" after spending 15 years in New England.