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From: duncaninchina
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  • i have the american accent but wanna learn the british so i can prank my friends LOL

  • yeah I agree :D thz Mr.

  • I will lose my german accent. can you help me??

  • not being rude but if you're foreign, i think you should aim to sound more english than american. when people pick up accents from america yet they are from non-english speaking countries it makes the accent much stronger. british accents annunciate their words more so it becomes a good habit. also their are bad stereotypes about american accents that, though generalised, you don't want to make it harder for yourself lol. that's my harsh and crude advise but it's up to you in the end obviously

  • i absolutely wanna meet mr. duncan to study about english (british and american) slang. thank you for this great video :)

  • I'm proud to know that I sound like myself! American accent. ;)

  • That's a good Way to say it!

  • i sound like neither. i just sound like a russian speaking english

  • nice advice mr. I love your classes

  • I love foreigners that talk more with a British accent, but overall an Aussie or Kiwi accent are my favorite.

  • Thank you!!!

  • if somebody likes english accent and whants to talk like that ??? :D if if its not like to copy for talking with oudience and just for yourself :)) ?? i wanna have british accent just not cause to show it to others just for me cause i like :))

  • thanks for the advice MR duncan

  • There are so many English accents around the globe but I love my own accents the most.

  • For American it depends on where. Examples: Southern, New Yorker, Western.

  • yea,is so differcult to say like a english or american,

  • Tennessee accent.

  • well done!

  • I think what people dont understand is that Britain has about 7 main major accents and that excludes regional accents in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Everyone thinks Brits speak "Queens English" and thats not the case, you have West Country, Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Mancunian, Lake District, Essex and more.

  • @lessavit As does American English. There's the Southern Drawl, the Boston accent, a Surfer dude accent, Midwestern accent, Redneck "'mayrkin" accent, and so on. I think every language has thousands of dialects, within other dialects.

  • @lessavit Yeah it gets confusing acroos the pound in America as well. We have Californian, Western, Midwestern, Wisconsin, Texan, Cajun, Chicogan, Deep south (Alabama- Kentucky-Georgia area) New York, and New England; maybe Southern Californian as well. I'm not sure if that would be counted as it's own, as it's a mix between spanish, ebonics, and Californian. How interesting the English language is, and languages in general!

  • I´m from south america and i Love USA, i have a lot of friends there but i actually love the british accent :), hey i don´t have any accent so i´m learning the british one! that my choise! adios!

  • Last week I and my wife were in U.S.A.. We passed by NYC, Orlando and Miami. My english is not good, I understand better than I speak and nevertheless the most people that I met were very respectfully about my dificulties and accent. Mr Duncan is RIGHT.

  • thank a bundle,misterduncan

  • AUSTRALIAN ACCENT! ;D

  • i love the american accent

  • I wish to speak British accent cus its the better but i couldnt

  • no, wait, i don't want my italian accent.

  • @WhiteSunGroupoff i love! the italian accent, even when you are speaking spanish!

  • Excellent advice.  :)

  • you a great man and i love u Mr Duncan 

  • english spoken in the world today was formed and developed in britain and the best way to speak is british

  • That's what i'm talking about Mr. Duncan! :) True way ;)

  • how about chinese accent? :S

  • Here is such a wise advise given . Thank you. How much time do you think it takes for the accent to stick to the pronunciation. Each time I go somewhere abroad my accent is shifted to local one. As I am trying to decide for how long to go to Britain for classes I am quite interested in the answer you might give. Were is a classic accent school by the way Thank you from Oleg from Siberia

  • Exactly don't change your accent!!!

  • the english language usually comes from england so i think thats the proper english. im probably only saying that because im engllish lol

  • Where is mrduncan from? I know he is English, but I would like to know the specific place. he pronounces the word news like an American way.

  • Frankly I would LOVE to have a BRTISH accent ! I love it !! So classy and cute ! I've been living in London for 2 years and thus I got addicted to it :) So while living there I tried as much as I could to get ride of my French accent. Still working on it as it isn't perfect :)

    So I'm sorry Mister Duncan but I'll still try my best to get a British accent !

  • @tayanashi

    French accents are ever so lovely, though. :)

  • A Good Answer!

  • I say it all depends on what type of English you hear at school/at work/on the telly, and so on. I'm Dutch and I like to use a British accent, but not a very posh one. This all because of what I hear. I learnt British English at school, but I can imagine someone learning from listening to the telly to have an American accent, because there are a lot of American shows available in many countries.

  • You are right, I'd like to sound like a British person though lol :)

    [by the way, I'm from Poland]

  • Mr. Duncan thanks a lot for your short lecture about speaking English in our own way. I am an Asian and is based here in the United States. I agree with you. As long as we speak with correct grammar and the people around us understand what we are talking about. It doesn't matter whether we are from what other continent. English as an international language and should be spoken according to a person the he/she would like it to be,

  • Nice  : )

  • thanks for reading!

    regards from brazil! :D

  • Hi Mr Duncan! how are you today? hehe

    I'm from Barcelona, i'm trying to learn english, and the other day i found your series of English Teaching videos. Very good job, really. Thank you very much. that's all. I just want to tell this.

    Great!

  • I say, British is the word!

  • @1339LARS

    your right mate!

  • Nice Toaster!

  • Are you american???

  • Listen to him. I am an American. Do not worry about sounding British or American. I promise you will be understood. Seriously, go with your native accent. If you attempt to speak differently, chances are it will show. In fact, the Americans I know, like accents. It can be sexy.

  • @pureperil

    You got a point there, but I wouldn't advice someone with a thick accent to be just satisfied with it. In my opinion learning an accent that can be considered "general sounding" is a part of mastering a language. It doesn't have to be perfect, but a thin accent makes it easier for you to make yourself understood.

  • thank you so much Mr.Dunkin.You are God's gift.I'm one of your fanatic veiwer.You make me feel comfortable and at ease conversing english language.I do hope after a few mos. I will pass my toefl exam.Your lesson are all great,it helps me to gain more confident when im talking.Mau from phil

  • Thank you mr Duncan

  • Hello Mr. Duncan

    Since I'm an English Philology student, I'm going to learn that British accent till I sound like a British guy :) I won't give up... :P The biggest problem is "eu" sound (inverted "e" :P) so far...

  • Well.. Im 12 years old, and i have learned english like 7 years now. But, my accent aint good.Like... Allways when i try to spell some words up, i fail. Like. there bit too estonian accent or something.... By the way. Nice tutorial :)

  • i dnt have any accent ^_* i hope someday i can talk eng with an accent ,,, and if it was in british accent it will be my lucky day hahah

  • You are right. And I agree with you Mr.Duncan.I believe in what you saying, but every times when I tried to speak English. I started to see the confusion between me and the partner. I think that because I don't have a good foundation of an accent.I have been practice for a while and I try to speak louder and clearer coz I thought that would make my accent clearly when the people listen to me..So..PLease ..What should I do to make my accent better? OR at least they can understand when i'm spoke.

  • I agree with you, I am speking English with Turkish accent. For speaking like an American or English, I must live with them and use the language more actively. It is about hearing. I took my fundamental English education from my country, not from native speaker, so it is difficult to change it. If I can communicate with another foreign person in English, there is no problem. Of course, speaking the original one is better, but it is very hard

  • Mr Duncan.

    First of all i would like to thank you for this video. I was very coufused about the accent problem. Should i sound like an American or should i sound like a British. But now after your advice i don't bother about sounding like anyone else. Thankyou one again Mr. Duncan.

    Cheers.

  • Thanks for the advice, i know i have an accent when i speak english and that's why i'm so shy and i usely don't want to speak english but i will keep that in mind next time i have to speak

    by the way , i'm a french canadian and that's why i have to speak english sometimes!

  • i was sitting on the bed in the morning n start thinking about to copy the british accent and i saw the first video of MR duncan here hahahah....and now i changed my mind hahaha....i like ur style mate!!

  • Thank you a lot!!! I undertand the people do not like your words. They can think that by an excessive care with Shakespeare language. But your words must be so important to the learning people that is scaring to be wrong, the people who can be ashamed - in shame - to speak and write in that language. I do not need english - at least by now - for anyway money purpose. Nor for trips. I like this language because that is the way to know the biggest number of people. Thank You again...

  • very positive idea

    This give me stamina because im a spanish in scotland and i speak with a very strong spanish accent, sometimes i tryed to copy the english or the scotish but this not work, im proud of myself im not guilty of not be british.

    Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddd­dddddddddoooooooooooommmmmmmmm­mm and thank you mr duncan

  • that's amazing, thanks Mr. Duncan

  • i want to sound like you, sir...hehhehe...i really do...

  • thank you my teacher you are very very good more than the teacher afront e

  • good

  • NICEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!![=D

  • Hello MrDuncan.. I am not english speaker, but I studied for being an english teacher in my country MX, I would like to improve my grammar, I just graduated just some months ago, I want to still improving the language.. I don't know where I can start? people online told me my gramma is bad.. I would like your help.. I try to watch your videos.. thanks for putting those videos online.

  • @supernatural2029 You're sounding very good to me! (You did make a little mistake when you said, "I want to still improving the language." We would say something like, "I still want to improve.")

  • Mr.Duncan is so kool! :]

  • haha.He is very funny person :D

  • Nice information Mr.Duncan!

    thanks

  • OMG ,,This video is like an encouragement to me:)) THaNKS SO MUCHH:)))

  • Your voice and hand gestures put me at ease. =)

  • Hi Mr Duncan.

    i just to watch a few of lesson from you.

    i like them

    you are a best English teacher, i have ever seen before

  • is very good

  • i love the british english....is much better and perfect.....very sweet

  • I LOVE YOU MR. DUNCAN!!!

  • Thank you very mutch. It is good lesson.

  • thanks ! I am an English learner :) I think I can learn a lot from here.

  • Hi Mr Duncan

    Iam living in London, my question is how can I make them - all people- understand me .. Iam an immigrant African form Sudan who really loves to talk properly and respectfully to people ..my Age is in 40's thanks alot in advance

  • Very True!

  • Hi! i totally agree with you! I come from the Netherlands, a very small country with it's own language. But we have to learn English as well. I was very afraid talking English with english people, because i would make quite a lot mistakes. But it doesn't matter! Every english speaking person I met said it is good to make mistakes, and just express yourself! Kinda long story. But i hope some people will see it doesn't matter! bye!

  • Hey Mr. Duncan, I have a question...

    can all british people speak also in the american accent?

    I mean, just looking at Hugh Laurie. He can.

    So can you guys all do that?

    - Al.

  • hi Mr. Duncan

    I´m really enjoying your videos. Thank you very much.

    I´ve been study English since last year and then, I met you at you-tube. Your classes are really interesting. I´m brasilian! Distance is not a problem at internet, isn´t it?

    Thank you again. Good luck

  • you are right !!!!

  • @fcojaque you`re right that he's right xD

  • As long as what you're saying is intelligible to other English speakers, I don't see how it possibly matters.

  • Thanks Mr Duncan! I think the most important thing is to be understood. Altough many people have told me I should improve my pronunciation, any advice Mr Duncan

  • speak comfortable is important. I'm learning how to speak fluently but unfortunately I always speak like a child. I think I have no confidence to speak.

  • @apmoda hei you. Where are you from? how do you fell like a child when you speak? My teacher told me that the most important think to do when you are learning every language is SPEAK. Speak loudly, speak wrong, speak slowly, but speak. After many speaches exercises you´ll speak like yourself in your native language. Trust in yourself!

  • @taniatriatleta Hi! i totally agree! I come from the Netherlands, a very small country with it's own language. But we have to learn English as well. I was very afraid talking English with english people, because i would make quite a lot mistakes. But it doesn't matter! Every english speaking person I met said it is good to make mistakes, and just express yourself! Kinda long story. But i hope some people will see it doesn't matter! bye!

  • Speak like a Brit, because Americans are stuck with the 'stupid' stereotype, so you'd rather them think you were from the U.K. than from the U.S.

  • I entirely agree with him.

  • Thank you, this is true!

    You know, I don't what my English is, I mix American and British English, because I usually watch American Movies,but i love british accent, so i say some words like american people and some words like britsh people. What do you think about that?

  • I agree completely. I pronounce words the British way since my whole family is pretty much British. I really pronounce my t's more than my friends. However i am also german on one side so sometimes they mixed in

  • damn i would like to learn brittish... but he is right...

  • acid house tee : )

  • British English sounds more sophisticated but i speak American English.

    Lol

  • i agree with you that the best way to speak english is the one you most feel comfortable with; however, i think copying native english speakers IS a good practice too...It makes easier to learn new phonetics and intonation + it's fun!!!

    i like ur video thou...ur funny!

  • very good video

  • As an american a alwayss try to speak in a british accent, just for the fun of it. I wonder if british people try to sound american ?

    XD

  • wait ur not actually english right? u dont sound it at all. u sound like an american putting on an english accent. you can tell cos they always over pronounce it. we drop our t's sometimes as well u know?

  • i totally agree with him

  • I strongly agree with you. The way you feel more confortable is the best way to speak English.

  • Thank  youuuuuuuu

  • i am agree..

    now, i feel more confident with my own way

    but i like british accents.

  • Good point Dude. I agree a 100%!

    Establish communiction, that's all that matters.

  • I always loved to sound like a British ! but now I think that I'll be sounding like me ! Anyway, I'll keep practicing my English because English is the key to a worldwide communication, with everyone everywhere ^_^ Greetings from Morocco.

  • I couldn't more agree.

  • he is right..........

  • Good guide anyway.

  • It is really funny to watch videos on Youtube about teaching how to speak English because of the fact that I myself am English. I'm American, but this is still funny to watch. Do your videos actually help English-learners? How do they know what you are talking about if you do not speak to them in their language at all to explain what you are doing?

  • saramcfly12,

    Your comment has a point. But, MrDuncan is not focusing on the learners with zero knowledge in english language. His target are those atleast can understand little english conversation. Besides, his lessons are not just for one country. This is worldwide web, so the best way is to speak english which is worldwidely understood. And there are so numerous non-english speaking learners who are also trying to emulate the way the native english speaker speak.

  • greetings from Poland :-)

  • Good video, Duncan, and hello from the USA.

    I've been trying to learn the varies English dialects (meaning dialects in England, not all dialects of the English language).. where are you from originally? Your accent seems fairly neutral to me, so my best guess is that you are southern, but not a Londoner. Maybe out towads but a little east of the Cotswolds? I've only been to England once. Although I did travel all around, I wasn't there long enough to identify them (dialects ) all.

  • @ikvsabre hey im from the cotswolds! ^^ but i think hes more midlands...

  • That is not my worry how I sound when I speak english... It is my worry wether I understand an American or British speaking English. Often people with English as their mother toungue speak to fast or not understandable enough for someone who learned English as an alternative language. In addition to that (in films e.g.) the understanding is much easier with subtitle, but nevertheless it is to heavy to understand what is said many times. Why there isn't just one language?..... :P

  • Don't worry, DarkDrakee.

    If you are struggling, just ask the person to slow down.... any decent person will try and help you understand.

    What is your native language?

  • @ikvsabre my native language is german ;)

  • Vielen Dank!

    Ich spreche kliene Deutch..... wie ein Kind.

    :-)

  • lol * argentine-american-british

  • oh well english isn't my main language and i try my best to make the other people understand, so i kinda have my own argentine-english-british accent, even though i'd choose british

  • thank u mr duncan

    from yemen

  • hello, Duncan. are you in China?

  • thank you Mr duncan

    I'm from Somalia i watched all your videos class it is very interesting me and i am appriciated you

    god bless you

  • This is wonderful, Mr. Duncan. It's so true!

  • In Europe, at school, they want people to learn british english because they think american english is not proper or something like that. That's dumb, i think we should be able to decide which accent we like bettter.

  • "In Europe, at school, they want people to learn british english"

    I think it is more about proximity... they are more likely to encounter Britishers than Americans, and many of the teachers are likely British.

  • In my school in Poland, I learn about differences in british and american english. And as long as you're using one version on the exam or sth, you'll be marked good. Well I don't think so that there is something like a favour of any version

  • mr duncun is my fav teacher..

  • their are three main accents in the U.S northern , southern, and western

  • "their are three main accents in the U.S northern , southern, and western"

    More than that, really.

    North east, Southern, Mid-western, Great Lakes, West Coat, and SoCal.... and those further break down into others.

  • Funny but it's important even so to say that correcting his own accent is possible, sometimes advised to make oneself understand and to have less often the same remark : are you french?

  • When you're living somewhere, you'll have the accent of your local region. For eample, I imagine badly getting a british accent in texas after a few years.

    Anyways, a foreigner will always have an accent. When I speak, people say, are you french?They know the difference between a quebecois and a french speaking english, though here in canada, people don't speak french for the most.

  • hello Mr.Duncan

    you are cool in your  video.

  • Hello Mr. Duncan,

    First of all, I am totally indebted to you for the great efforts and information materials that you have provided us. But I am so confused now because our teacher told us that we have to chose between American Accents or British Accents and you said another thing. Anyway, I like British Accent and sometimes i like American Accent. So, What can I do?

    Thanks in advance,

    Amr from Egypt.

  • Hi Amr. Thank you for your comment. Of course it is your choice here. My point is not to feel any pressure to speak in a certain way. My advice is for you to go with your feeling. Which you feel comfortable with. It is your choice!

    (Misterduncan)

  • Hi Mr. Duncan,

    Thanks a lot for your reply and your advice.

    Have a nice day,

    Amr from Egypt.

  • @Roaming72 DON´T BE A FOOLISH I AM MEXICAN AND YOU KNOW WHAT I LERN D EN LA FORMA MAS DIFICIL I HAVE TO LERN BECAUSE I HAVE TO ¡ I WAS DHERE AND I HADE NOT A CHOISE,, BUT YOU KNOW WHATI TS NOT TOO HARD JUST LISTEN UP AND KEEP ON TRYIN,, GOOD LUCK BRO..

  • hi there, i am from pakistan in quetta, usually we all are watching your english learning class videos, its helps us ,we are very interested to learn from you,infact before we had joined a center,now we have left it ,just becouse of you, you have saved my money,

    we are very thankful to you and we will remember you in our prays ,

    my name is azmat ullah kasi

  • What about Canadian accents? =(

    (Not that there's much difference between Canadian and American, mind you. Execpt for Newfoundland, who sound more... Scottish?)

    Anyway, very good job on your videos, Mr. Duncan. They're very entertaining, and obviously very helpful for those who need it. Good work.

  • im american and when i speak english (my first language) i use an american accent. i want a british accent...

  • I think ura one should sound Canadian. And not the real Canadian but the ridiculously stereotypical accent.

  • hey thats the same shirt from Forrest Gump!

    thats cool as shit.

  • thank you mr Duncan for helping us,,,

  • Oh, as italians we have a completely different accent from english people. So sometimes our accent sounds so terrible. But fortunately with some training and use of english, it can be better :-)

  • I'm Russian and when i speak english my accent is russian

  • I'm from Denmark and i got pretty american-ish accent, but i love the british accent so i would love to learn it.

  • that's right ^^ thanks very much

  • Oh my god... You remind me of my teacher in foreign language school. He`s Scottish and he has always tried to sound like a British person :)

  • Thank you Mr Duncan for you help and best way of explain this subject! Now I dont mind with my accent anymoree

  • Thanks. It will help me to give up my complex as far as my "no -perfect English accent ".

  • I'm Czech and when I speak in English, my accent is Czech xD

  • I'm American and when I speak in English, my accent is Zebra. :3

  • if i speak english, i sound little bit closer to american accent.. cause internet and movies etc. are really powerfull "accentchanger" :D zdravim cechuny

  • najlepsie tieto podravy ze inac dravim cechuny:D

  • English is english, if you dont like some1 accent go to the blackberry and ask where are you from mate? 99% of enlish people doesnt know where the country is after answer... so why the fuck you need to ask that?

  • Mr. is a complimentary title given to you by someone else, one should never refer to oneself as Mr.

  • That is undoubtably

  • Mr Duncan, Stafford/ wolverhampton ?? shouldnt you be speaking with a "Black Country Dialect " ????

  • most foreigners who think they have american or british accents just have accents from their home country until they spend several years living in english speaking country

  • You are right my friend,everybody's target is to learn communicating not to copy some1 else...but do you know why the most of english learners are trying to speak with accent?Yeah u are on the OK side but there is another side aswell,too many ppl laugh at you and use it against you when you don't have a good accent...i've experienced that many times and that's not the best thing:/

  • Im French.. and when i speak in English, my accent is American..

    My teacher too said that!

  • I'm Chilean and my accent is american too, i can't speak with that sound hehe

  • This is lovely. My Mother was from Manchester. I was born in Ca. and raised in both countries. I 've often confused words and I'm still not sure which belong where. Growing up if we pronoused the American T's we would reminded the proper way. Spelling was a nightmare, none of our teachers cared that we knew other ways to spell, and bad marks were a constant.Now I do not give a toss and enjoy the regular question... "Where do ya'll come from?", I now live in TX and I do not sound right to them.

  • I have been living in Texas for just a little over a year now, and in my opinion, "they' don't sound right to any one that cares for language.

  • The shefield accent is way better

  • the worst part about being a new zealander is every1 getting confused with ur accent and assuming ur australian. i was in america last year and everytime i spoke some smartass would crack out something like "crikey mate, hes a beauty!" or "thats not a knife, THIS is a knife!''

  • throw another shrimp on the barbie!!!

  • I love British accents but I preety much comfortable speeaking 'Americans accent

    btw can u tell the diff between australians and americans.. lol yes u can

  • this preach comforts me a lot :D

  • well said

  • well, I speak with a mixed accent! .. American and British accent at the same time howeva I'm trying to eliminitate the American one ...coz I love the British English most! .... I hope to find a good way to speak like a native british person! ... ( Does it relate to the way of the mouth or the tongue moves by !??) ...

  • Mostly I agree with this.

    But honestly, if I hear somebody talking true British English, I feel it's like a smooth flow. Of course, the most important is to make yourself understood. But if you can afford the effort, why not learn the true British accent?

  • yeah i have a mexicAN ACCENT N WHAT THA T FUC...

  • im a british geordie ive been in the untied states for 5 yr and its hard to comment new ppl to me cant understand me but after a week or 2 they do but i understand every american ive ever met right there and then if tht makes sence i under