Another question for the Scots

[coldcrimsonembers]

I was just wondering, does it bother any of the Scots that Americans try to emulate your different dialects?

And do tourists try to speak like you when they visit?

I know they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and all. But from a personal perspective, it grates my nerves to hear a southern drawl done badly...or overdone. I'm sure everyone has a different view, but I just wanted to ask...

[Polwarth]

Hello
That's an interesting question!

I can't answer for other Scots - these are only my views!

If you mean when actors try to imitate Scots accents - the answer is no - I don't like it, simply because so few of them manage it successfully. I mean, think of Mel Gibson in Braveheart for instance.....

I have never noticed tourists trying to sound like us... most of them are easily recognised by their accents, whether from various European countries or from the USA or Canada or NZ or Aus... However, I would probably wonder if they wur tekkin the mickey, rather than flattering us...

[SuperHaggis]

I've never heard tourists impersonating Scottish accents but I know that a lot of people on TV do them very, very badly!

[Celyn]

Originally posted by SuperHaggis
..... but I know that a lot of people on TV do them very, very badly

Sad but true!

[kattoy]

As a tourist I can definatly say that it would be almost impossible to imitate a Scotish accent correctly. I know I pronounce some words wrong (names of cities and towns mostly) and don't mind being corrected on my pronounciation, but to say them with a true Scottish accent is something that I could never do.

As far as Mel Gibson goes, I don't think he even attempted at a Scottish accent in Braveheart. It probably would have made it worse...

Kat