ACCENTS

VARIETIES OF ENGLISH
 Important for
listening

Across these varieties of English, there may be differences in how vowels and consonants are
pronounced, how words are stressed, and in intonation.
For example, listen and notice differences between standard British English (Br) and American
English (US) pronunciation in these sentences , (you will hear British English first):

1- That's better.

2- I'm picking up the car next Tuesday.

3- What's your address?

4- I went out because I was hot and wanted some fresh air.
 Important for listening

Within Britain and the US there are also many regional accents. For example, listen and notice
differences in pronunciation in these sentences, said first by a speaker of “BBC English” and then
by a speaker from the city of Birmingham in England.

1- See you tonight.

2- Are those your brother’s?

3- She was smoking.

 1. LISTEN. You will hear speakers from Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia and

Exercises. South Africa talking about what they enjoy doing in their spare time.
Take notes.

The British speaker likes…

The North American speaker

likes…

The Canadian speaker likes…

The Australian speaker likes…

The South African speaker
likes…
2- The following text is read aloud first by a British Englis speaker and then an American English speaker.
Listen and note differences in pronunciation that you observe, focusing on the underlined words. A few are
done for you.
3- You will hear four more people talking about what they enjoy doing in their spare time. They are from
northern England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Listen and write brief notes about what they say.

Northen England_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Scotland ______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Wales _________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Northern Ireland _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
 ACTIVITIES SECTION
Now, listen and read.
In what ways is their pronunciation different from BBC English (without accent)?

example
Follow up.
Record yourself Reading one of the extracts. Compare your Reading and the version on the recording .
What are the main differences in pronunciation that you notice?

Upload your audio in CREA.