Why do Americans have the easiest accent to understand?

Is the American accent easier to understand?

I'll leave the answer to that question for the video, but it's all down to a concept in psychology called the "mere-exposure" effect.

Again, watch the video.

Once you're done, head over to:

And sing up for my free daily email tips.

.........................................................

Written Version & Notes:

Courses ......................

Books..........................

Master English FAST:

More Books by me:

About Julian and Doing English ..................

I'm Julian Northbrook and welcome to Doing English.

Doing English, a place for frustrated non-native English speakers who want to speak extraordinary English Whether you're a doctor or an artist, an IT professional, a chef or anything else, Doing English will show you how to learn English, speak English well and use the language as a tool for success in your life.

A bit about Julian:

Creator of the infamous MEFA English course and leader of the League of Extraordinary English Speakers.

Went to Tokyo to be an Artist and failed. Lived there for 13 years anyway. Now I live on the beautiful coast of West Cork, Ireland.

Published author and researcher.

Oh, and I'm Autistic (a very good thing for you and your English).

Stuff by Julian:

I send daily tips to help you speak better English, straight to your inbox.

You can sign up for those here:

You can also follow me on Quora here:

(I answer most questions)

#DoingEnglish #JulianNorthbrook #learnEnglish

[learnit]

American pronunciation and the speed of talking is much clearer

[octaneblue]

The American accent is the easiest to pick up; i.e. British people who come to the US often lose their accents, but not vice versa. Research conducted has indicated it is the easiest to understand because its pronunciation is clearer and more phonetic.

[yami]

The british accent makes several letters silent and that's what makes it harder for me to understand it. I was first exposed to the British accent and later to the US American one, and I found the latter to be easier. I'm a native Spanish speaker.

[Vincent-neze]

American accent is definitely easier to understand for most non-native English speakers.

[apdorafa-rafaelalmeida]

I grew up in Toronto, Canada...our English is 98% American...I think we, north americans speak the words clearly...come on, British people probouncing "Water" sounds like Wa'e.

[madhavyu]

I teach English to primary and high school students in Spain. We use British English to teach but the kids find American accent much easier to understand.

[pragatisharma]

Yes American accent is more precise than other accent as well as easy to understand undoubtedly

[jdkeyes]

It isn't just any American accent, it is the north midland accent which has the highest intelligibility factor of any bar none. It is the one that the voice over actors try to achieve. It has what is called a neutral accent.

[jasminealvakamson]

U spoke like British
And British accent is hard to understand for many
An American accent is good and easy to understand

[nancymartinezcardenas]

I think it depends on the vocalization and speed more than if this is from a specific country. I've heard British and American accents some of them are easy to understand and others no. Even in my native language (Spanish) can be difficult to understand other Spanish speakers, like Chileans who speaks so fast and not always vocalize well.

On the other hand, I find British accent nicer than American accent, however, it's difficult for me pronounce English words in a British way, I guess it's about the exposition to this accent as was said in the video.

[marcuscook]

Lol they definitely wouldn't say it was easiest if they've ever been to Appalachia. I don't even think the accent is what people find easier. I think it's the vocabulary. Everything is very literal and descriptive. For example, rubber shoes you wear in the rain would just be called rainboots in the US. In England, they would be wellies. The word "wellies" tells you nothing about the item being described. If you took someone who had a very basic understanding of English and asked them what "wellies" were with no prior education, they would likely have no idea. Whereas through the process of learning the words "rain" and "boots" earlier on, they can immediately infer what the object is based on common sense if asked, "what are rainboots?"

[jesusmartinez-rbwp]

I like british Accent for the music of depeche mode and other groups

[heatherc]

I was exposed to British english for 7 years and I hate it cause it made no sense to me
When I found about American english I found it easier

[RatnasKitchenBD]

thanks for shearing this interesting topic,

[jalahh]

Actually everyone says that my accent is like mixture either American or British but it's so understandable, clear ☺☺

[Tianne]

American accent is undoubtedly much easier than any other...

[henriqueferreira]

For me the american California accent is the most easy to understand although I am a Brazilian guy, Portuguese accent is really hard for me hehehe

[aishaos]

I've experienced precisely what you said in this video about the mere- exposure effect through my journey learning English.
When I was little, particularly at the age of 8 I started watching loads of films and TV shows, that's how I knew that there are other languages besides the two languages I was speaking with. And without me putting any effort I managed to reach a good level with listening, understanding what people were saying using the American accent. That's how I learnt English, knowing that I had nobody to practice speaking with. But after I graduated from high school in 2013, I thought I should improve my English skills, it was then I realized the Britsh accent through a movie, I loved it, hence, decided that this is the accent I want to use and listen to. The first week was a nightmare, I nearly cried!. I found it almost impossible to understand, recognize what people in films, shows and in online free lessons were saying. Thankfully after a lot of hard work, hours being spent listening to native teachers I picked the rhythm of speaking, the way they pronounce, it took me around two years of intensive, daily listening and study to discover that I've lost my ability to understand the American accent as easy as I used to be.
Actually, the first time I bumped into your channel was in 2014, picking up what you were saying was a challenge to me. In one of the videos ( It was about how to improve your English !), I had to repeat the video three times before realising you were pronouncing the word ( Think) a little bit differently.
Thank you very much, sir, you are indeed a great teacher.

[relaxwhc]

I thought the R colored vowel helps to make their words clearier

[relaxwhc]

I have a request, can you do a review on Huawei Richard Yu's accent?