Why British Singers Lose Their Accent When Singing

Summary

The video explores why many British singers, as well as international artists, lose their regional accents when singing in English, adopting a neutral 'American' accent. This phenomenon is explained by factors like the melody and rhythm of songs, the greater air pressure needed for singing, and the slower pace of delivery, all of which neutralize accents. While most singers are unaware of this change, it’s a natural process tied to vocal technique. Exceptions like Kate Nash, who consciously maintains her British accent, challenge this trend, highlighting the diversity of approaches to singing.

Takeaways

• 😀 British singers often lose their regional accent when singing, adopting a neutral or American-sounding accent instead.
• 😀 This phenomenon is common among famous British artists like Mick Jagger, Elton John, Adele, and Ed Sheeran.
• 😀 Non-British singers, such as ABBA, also tend to adopt an American accent when singing in English.
• 😀 The ‘American’ accent that emerges in songs is typically a neutral, generic accent and is not intended to appeal to a specific market.
• 😀 Linguist David Crystal explains that melodies and beats cancel out speech patterns, forcing singers to stress syllables differently and elongate vowels.
• 😀 The slower pace of singing contributes to the disappearance of regional accents, as words are drawn out and stressed differently.
• 😀 Air pressure and the way singers breathe during performance change the sound of their voice, which can cause accents to fade.
• 😀 Singers typically are not aware that they lose their accent when singing, as it happens naturally due to the mechanics of singing.
• 😀 Even American singers with regional accents, like a New Yorker or a Hillbilly, will adopt a more neutral accent when they sing.
• 😀 Kate Nash is an exception to this trend, as she proudly retains her British accent and refuses to adopt an American sound while singing.

Q & A

Why do British singers seem to lose their accent when singing?

British singers often lose their accent when singing due to phonetic factors, the pace of music, and the increased air pressure required for singing. These factors lead singers to adopt a more neutral accent, which happens to resemble a generic American accent.

What is the main reason British singers, like Mick Jagger and Adele, sound American when they sing?

The main reason is that the melody and rhythm of the song cancel out the natural intonations and rhythm of speech. Singers elongate vowels and stress syllables to fit the music, resulting in a more neutral, American-like accent.

Do singers deliberately change their accents when they perform?

No, singers do not intentionally change their accents. The shift in accent is a natural result of singing techniques and musical requirements, such as the need to stretch syllables and adjust to the rhythm of the song.

How does the pace of music influence a singer's accent?

The slower pace of singing compared to normal speech causes words to be drawn out and more powerfully pronounced, which reduces the influence of regional accents and leads to a more neutral delivery.

What role does air pressure play in the loss of accent while singing?

Singing requires greater air pressure and proper breathing techniques to sustain notes, which changes the quality of the sound and causes regional accents to diminish as syllables are stretched and stressed differently than in everyday speech.

Are singers aware that they lose their accents when singing?

Most singers are not aware of the change in their accent. Studies have shown that artists typically feel they are singing naturally and do not consciously alter their accent for performance.

What did Keith Urban say about his singing accent?

Keith Urban could not explain why his singing accent differs from his speaking accent. He humorously remarked that he didn't think he had an accent at all, though he acknowledged the possibility of sounding different to someone from another region, such as his Australian background compared to an American.

How do regional accents affect singers' performances in other countries?

Singers from various countries, like Sweden's ABBA or New Zealand artists, tend to adopt a more neutral accent when singing in English. This occurs because the musical style and structure often lead them to adjust their speech patterns, resulting in a sound that is closer to a standard American accent.

What does linguist David Crystal say about accent changes in singing?

David Crystal explains that the melody and rhythm of a song override the natural intonation and rhythm of speech, leading to accent changes. Most singers end up with a 'mixed accent' or a neutral, American-sounding accent because of these musical and phonetic adjustments.

Who is Kate Nash, and how does her approach to singing differ from other British artists?

Kate Nash is a British singer known for refusing to adopt an American accent in her singing. Unlike many British artists who unknowingly or intentionally sing with an American accent, Nash proudly retains her English accent and targets an English audience with her lyrics and style.