Always thought we were rather posh downunder!

[jimshu]

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-storie ... -outdated/

The Kiwi accent has been rated the most attractive and prestigious form of English outside the UK in a BBC survey.

In the survey, respondents from throughout the UK completed an on-line survey rating the prestige and social attractiveness of 34 different English accents.

The kiwi "fush and chups" came seven places ahead of Australia's "sex and Seedney" - and nine ahead of the American accent in terms of attractiveness.

Scottish and Irish accents topped the list of preferred British accents.

Professor Allan Bell, Director of AUT's Institute of Culture, Discourse and Communication says the high rating for New Zealand English probably reflects the fact that it is relatively close to the prestige British accents.

"On the social side, it seems to represent generally positive British attitudes to New Zealand and New Zealanders."

He says the fact that the British rate New Zealand English so highly is ironical, because studies of New Zealanders' attitudes show they are often very negative about their own accent and prefer British English.

"It looks like the post-colonial cringe is now entirely outdated."

New Zealand English rated highly on both attractiveness and prestige. It was the 6th most socially attractive accent, placed above the Queen's English (7th) and well ahead of Australian (13th) and American English (15th). 'Standard English', Scottish and Irish accents topped the list.

New Zealand also ranked high (7th) on prestige, again above Australian (11th) and American English (8th). The Queen's English got the highest ranking for prestige.

[graybeard]

Interesting, sort of.

And, what is the "American Accent"? The speech of folks from Boston? Maine? Mississippi? Chicago? All are quite different.

Still, interesting. "Good on You" for posting it.

[jimshu]

Yeah.Gidday mate.Gudonyer too.
Couldn't resist posting it for a laugh.And within NZ, there are different accents also.From down Southland,where there's a distinct rolling of the r's,a legacy of Scottish setlers, to accents developing in our lower socio-economic areas of Nu Zilnd.
Chirrs mate.

[graybeard]

And here's my Kiwi story. In 2000 I flew into Christchurch. About 26 hours in transit. Went out for dinner. After getting a nice dinner, the lovely server, a woman in her 40's or 50's, asked how it was. "Fine", I said. Her reply was the "Good on you". Being totally fatigued and a little batty, I thought she said "there's food on you." So, I went looking for it. She looked at me and asked if I was alright. I explained. She laughed and then told me "good as gold!". Thus leaving me even more befuddled. Had a great time the 3 weeks I was there.

[ExplorerWannaBe]

I've always liked the accents from New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Ireland. Not sure I could establish a preference although the Kiwi accent did seem more cultured than the others as well as somehow warmer than the BBC-style "Queen's English".

An Englishman's way of speaking absolutely classifies him,
the moment he talks he makes some other Englishman despise him.

[jimshu]

Maybe because the English are hung up on class.And there, class defines your accent.So if you're dealing at the top of business or society,Kiwis can move in those circles easier, because our accent doesn't immediately relate to any class.
Often heard that from our Chinese students we used to host.That they preferred learning English in NZ over Australia and South Africa,England because our accent was more ''accepted''.

[Starbuck86]

Scottish and Irish accents topped the list of preferred British accents.

Damn right. Of course it depends on the kind of Scottish/Irish accent. Edinburgh and Dublin, yes. Fife and Belfast, not so much.

Och aye the noo and all that.

[jimshu]

Hey Starbuck, a friend bought me 2 haggis for Christmas.Yeah!Can't wait to boil them up and douse them with whisky and consume!

[Starbuck86]

Aww, Jimshu, I'm a veggie, so sadly I can't comment on our national dish. Veggie haggis is really good though. Almost as good as a deep fried Mars bar.

[graybeard]

Haggis over Vegemite every time. (Yes, I know that's more of an Aussie "treat")

And a wee dram for breakfast can be rather nice on a cold, wet day. Which, as I remember, was nearly every day!

[voidczech]

Jimshu ....

NZ, Scottish, Irish, British, American.... was there no ranking for Canadian english...? Surely we must have placed.....?

- Simone

[jimshu]

Nope.Just us haggis eaters!

[voidczech]

That's fine .... In any case ... I don't actually the Canadian accent should have placed .... I just wanted an honourable mention!

- Simone

[rarkymarky]

thats a choice story bro...sweet as owww!