Why Do Americans and Brits Have Different Accents?

In 1776, whether you were declaring America independent from the crown or swearing your loyalty to King George III, your pronunciation would have been much the same. At that time, American and British accents hadn't yet diverged. What's surprising, though, is that Hollywood costume dramas get it all wrong: The Patriots and the Redcoats spoke with accents that were much closer to the contemporary American accent than to the Queen's English.

[miathapapaya]

The reason Australians and Americans sound so different when they both originate from England completely boils down to WHEN they each separated from England.

[jyamez]

so British people gave themselves a speech impediment to be fancy?

[jusjetz]

You mean to tell me that the rhotic accent (the forerunner of THE AMERICAN ACCENT) used to exists in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 before the standard British accent came into power?

[NeilVanceNeilVance]

I have a northern Ireland accent. When I'm on a holiday and ask for 'water', some times people think I'm American. Guess we say our 'R's in a similar way.

[mygetawayart]

"British people talk funny"
*Meanwhile Wisconsin hides in the bushes*

[Calikid]

I'd also like the add the fact that New England, New York and old timey Southern accents are non-rhotic too because that "r" dropping made it over to the east coast of the US as well, bot nowhere else. Because at that time, the rich in the US would send their kids over to England for school and their kids would come back with new, educated, upper-class british accents that also caught on with the rest of the region. So the New York accent and the New England accent evolved around the same time as the modern British accent did

[nooneyouknow]

“Blame the rich” the importance of this phrase cannot be understated

[horrorhabit]

Yeah, I think the American accent (I know, there are many, ) is a sort of time capsule of the older British accent(s). Also, a lot of American immigrants came from the West Country, where you can still find accents similar to American accents...especially those in the Southern U.S.

[jimmymcconnie]

I have a legit question...why is it that when people from the Netherlands learn English their accent sounds VERY close to the American accent? Swedish, French, German, Spain etc, they're accent is specific when they learn English but when a Dutch person learns English it's almost impossible for me to tell if they're American or Dutch 🤷‍♂️

[crowbar]

There are still plenty regional rhotic accents in the UK: in the West Country, in Norfolk and in Cumbria, Northern Ireland (all Irish accents are rhotic) and Scottish islands.

[MichaelJohnsonAzgard]

Can't believe that you've kept this video up, or even updated it. This guy thinks all Brits speak using received pronunciation. There are many other British accents.

[lylecosmopolite]

In the USA, the accents of the Deep South (except Appalachia), working class New York, and Massachussets east of Sturbridge are non-rhotic.

[chrisklitou]

The UK has 25 different accents there's 4 in just London alone

You can't generalise it

[vanessaaventura]

So basically the same reason the french canadian accent is different from the one from france. They both evolved differently

[Marco-iylt]

The UK has many accents, which are rhotic. The problem here for most Americans is lack of knowledge. The Americans believe everyone sounds like a Cockney or a Harry Potter character is ridiculous. Listen to the accents throughout the UK and you will see a wide variation of distinctive accents.

[TheRealWitchHazel]

You'd be surprised to know how many people don't know that American's speak a more proper Olde English, than the British. Most actually think Brittish English is "proper English" (although it isn't).

[valenlevalenle]

Considering the fact that the English have been speaking English since before the USA was even established, it's safe to say Americans are the ones who speak "English" weirdly and I'm American.

[fettuccine]

You sound like a a Brit doing a really good American accent..

[flappypizza]

Interesting topic, it’s not like we took a vote and collectively decided to change our accents. I think while the language will barely change, accents are very much a cultural/ regional based concept. For example, if I grew up here in the US, but my grandparents were first generation immigrants, does that mean I should (by default) have they’re accent? No, because you are exposed to outside influences that work to shape how you speak as well. I’m rambling on a bit, but hope that makes sense to someone🤷‍♀️

[pamtebelman]

Thank you, this clear up a question I've had for a long time.