Does this woman speak with an American accent?

[englishhobby]

Does this woman speak with an American accent? How does it sound to a British ear? I understand that it's VOA news, and still.

http://av.voanews.com/clips/VLE/2015/06/26/f809e7de-8587-4ad2-9ddd-f3226ab792a1.mp3

 

[Amigos4]

Does this woman speak with an American accent?

My answer is 'yes'! What is your answer, englishhobby? ;-)

 

[Skrej]

She does speak a bit slowly and very deliberately. It's very obvious that she's reading for an audience of English language learners.

She's keeping her phrasing short (3-5 words), presumably so that she's easier to follow for learners, but as a result her intonation sounds a little off. She's also speaking slow enough that she avoids reductions, largely avoids contractions, and almost over-enunciates her words, to the point that she comes across as a little artificial.

If you listen carefully, at around 9:44 you can hear her speaking naturally in the background during the initial interview, and you'll notice she speaks much faster.

Like I said, it's clear she's anticipating that non-native speakers will be listening. Or at least I hope that's her reason.

 

[englishhobby]

What do you mean by 'and still'?

I mean that, logically, she is American and still I'd like somebody to tell me what they think about her accent, if it is obviously American English or not so obviously.

 

[englishhobby]

She does speak a bit slowly and very deliberately. It's very obvious that she's reading for an audience of English language learners.

Is it very obvious that she is speaking American English?

 

[englishhobby]

My answer is 'yes'! What is your answer, englishhobby? ;-)

I logically understand that it must be American, but if I didn't know, I'm afraid, I wouldn't be able to tell :-(

 

[englishhobby]

If you listen carefully, at around 9:44 you can hear her speaking naturally in the background during the initial interview, and you'll notice she speaks much faster.

Yes, now that you mentioned it, I' ve noticed, but I don't understand what she is saying. It's something like "School is letting out", but I can't make any sense of it.

 

[GoesStation]

Yes, now tat you mentioned it, I' ve noticed, but I don't understa nd what she is saying. It's something like "Sool is letting out", but I can't make any sense of it.

Probably school is letting out.

 

[GoesStation]

Is it very obvious that she is speaking American English?

Yes. I didn't listen to enough to be able to rule out Canadian English, but those are the only possibilities.

 

[englishhobby]

Probably school is letting out.

Yes, and what does it mean in the given context (or, simply, what does it mean?)

 

[GoesStation]

Yes, and what does it mean in the given context (or, simply, what does it mean?)

It means the children are leaving because school has ended for the day.

 

[Barb_D]

I completely agree with everything Ems wrote. She has a very American accent, but her speech is unnaturally slow and enunciated. While broadcasters speak more carefully than many of us, this is an extreme. I agree that she is expecting a non-native-English audience.

 

[emsr2d2]

I completely agree with everything Ems wrote.

I'd love to take the credit but I haven't taken part in this thread until now. ;-)

 

[Amigos4]

I'd love to take the credit but I haven't taken part in this thread until now. ;-)

Does Ems speak with a British accent? ;-):-D

 

[Barb_D]

Did you mean Skrej?

Yes, sorry. (It's catching - I read another thread where User A made a comment and someone else referred to it as User B's comment. I guess this time it was my turn to make that mistake.)

 

[Skrej]

Guess I need to improve my baritone typing.

 

[Tdol]

It probably was, Tdol.

If you're talking about a mistake, I believe it should be It probably was Tdol. :up: