There's a good deal of truth in this cartoon. As an Englishman, I was amazed to read in a detective story forum that several American viewers found difficulty understanding quite mild British accents in our TV programmes. I've never heard the same arguments from British viewers about American accents. The truth is that we see far more American TV dramas on our mainstream TV channels,than Americans see our programmes. We're just more used to all of your various regional accents.
I read in a discussion a few years ago that there's a reason the dialogue in British TV shows is hard to understand on American TV. The two sound tapes (music, etc., and dialogue) are recorded into one, and that muddies up the dialogue. Now there is a real reason for us in the States to have trouble understanding British accents. Learning that made me feel so much better.
J. Palmer: 'Many Brits mumble' Hmmmm. It may be just that my hearing is going as I get older, but I find that there are some American actors doing that as well. Heath Ledger in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN may have given a brilliant performance, but he needed to speak up. Most American TV shows are well audible, but THE WIRE does require the sound being turned up to the top level. Mind you, the mumble award does go the BBC series JAMAICA INN, where actor Sean Harris addressed all of his lines to his armpit and never moved his lips.
forgive if I sounded snotty. You're ccorrect - many actors these days mumble... I must confess I use substitles WHEREEVER I watch - no matter the nationality. I was being snarky about the Brits mumble. Sorry. And I suspect my hearing too is failing...
There's a good deal of truth in this cartoon. As an Englishman, I was amazed to read in a detective story forum that several American viewers found difficulty understanding quite mild British accents in our TV programmes. I've never heard the same arguments from British viewers about American accents. The truth is that we see far more American TV dramas on our mainstream TV channels,than Americans see our programmes. We're just more used to all of your various regional accents.
ReplyDeletewe use subtitles frequently, especially for northern British or Scots accents...
ReplyDeleteForgot to add that many of the Brits mumble as well - so no matter how loud the sound it's impossible to discern. So the subtitles are very welcome!
ReplyDeleteI read in a discussion a few years ago that there's a reason the dialogue in British TV shows is hard to understand on American TV. The two sound tapes (music, etc., and dialogue) are recorded into one, and that muddies up the dialogue. Now there is a real reason for us in the States to have trouble understanding British accents. Learning that made me feel so much better.
ReplyDeleteJ. Palmer: 'Many Brits mumble' Hmmmm. It may be just that my hearing is going as I get older, but I find that there are some American actors doing that as well. Heath Ledger in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN may have given a brilliant performance, but he needed to speak up. Most American TV shows are well audible, but THE WIRE does require the sound being turned up to the top level. Mind you, the mumble award does go the BBC series JAMAICA INN, where actor Sean Harris addressed all of his lines to his armpit and never moved his lips.
ReplyDeleteforgive if I sounded snotty. You're ccorrect - many actors these days mumble... I must confess I use substitles WHEREEVER I watch - no matter the nationality. I was being snarky about the Brits mumble. Sorry. And I suspect my hearing too is failing...
ReplyDelete