I'm Irish and moved to Canada when I was young. Due to my age and being surrounded by Canadians for so long (13 years), I lost my accent. Now I'm back in Ireland and want it back because people think I'm some sort of foreigner/American. Is it possible at all, or am I fucked?
One loses the ability to easily acquire an accent in late teens/early twenties. But even then it's by no means static. If you stay in Ireland you're bound to regain many characteristics of the local speak. Just takes time.
If it really bothers you, a therapist could possibly expedite the process.
Norn Iron or Sourn Iron?
The North American english accent is the best accent. I don't see why you'd want to get a dumb irish accent.
It's as bland as 'standard' or 'the Queen's' English. Regional accents and dialects are where the real variety lies.
>>8 What is your opinion on American southern accents?
They're great. I think my initial point was a little unclear: I am against standardised spoken language, e.g the Queens English, as I believe this encourages elitism (albeit with no foundation). No language is inherently "better" than another, although it seems some may be more successful.
Of course: Standard English was regarded as being 'better' than minority languages such as Scots, Scottish/Irish Gaelic and Welsh, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This resulted in them being actively discriminated against in the various education systems of these areas. I know people who's grandparents were caned as children, simply for speaking Scots.
I live in the south of America.
I don't speak in the southern accent, however, because it bugs the fuck out of me when other people do.
>>13
Oh, god... you mean you live in the South of the United States, not the south of America, do you not? I don't particularly believe that South America has any sort of distinctive accent that would distinguish two groups in the continent.
Please, finish your elementary geography courses before you decide to come on a language discussion-board.