Download the article Fascinating history (and disappearance) of a unique accent
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If you’ve ever wondered where that vintage movie accent comes from, you’re actually asking a very good question. The transatlantic accent doesn’t come from anywhere in particular—it was invented in the early 1900s so that elite and educated English speakers could identify others of their class anywhere in the world. In this article, we’ll dive into exactly why this accent came about and how it became so popular, and we’ll show you how to pronounce and practice it yourself!
A transatlantic accent blends British and American pronunciation to create a non-geographic “in-between” accent. It was popular among the social elite and Hollywood actors from the 20s to the 50s, when more natural dialects were preferred. It features dropped “R” sounds, long and rounded vowels, and a fast, steady cadence.
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Source: HIS Education