Jude Law, Kate Beckinsale and Matthew McConaughey draw millions of fans through their good looks, acting talent ' and their accents.
Having an accent often affects a person socially. Some find themselves surrounded by crowds of listeners while others find it hard to have a real conversation. Many find accents attractive but others consider it a turn off.
Accents are culturally learned, not genetically based, said AnnCorrine Freter-Abrams, undergraduate coordinator and professor of anthropology at Ohio University.
Major development of an accent occurs around 18 months of age and can continue until a person is 15-16 years old. One develops an accent, or way of speaking, by being around people who speak their language or by learning a second language later in life, she said.
Accents are culturally specific
said Freter-Abrams. The accents a society considers musical, exotic or different are determined by that culture.
People aren't necessarily attracted to accents, but are more comfortable around things that they understand, she said. With the rise of international broadcasting, the English accent and language is more prevalent.
When a person speaks with someone with an accent, they automatically place the person in a certain region or country. Their accent identifies them as being different, she said.
Accents as aphrodisiac
My accent's a conversation starter said James Grimwade, an 18-year-old who came to Ohio for an internship after graduating insports science from Chelmsford College in England.
He stayed on campus at Ohio University for a month after the internship before leaving to tour the United States.
At home I don't get many girls
and here girls always talk tome. When a girl talks to me (my accent) sounds appealing
it's different
he said. They talked to me not because I'm from Britain but because I'm different.
Grimwade noticed also that girls didn't necessarily listen to what he was saying, just his accent.
I couldn't have a proper conversation. It was frustrating
he said.
At the same time, he didn't leave OU dissatisfied.
I talked to loads of girls
an unbelievable amount of interaction with girls. My confidence shot through the roof
he said.
Accents aren't only attractive to females.
My girlfriend has a southern accent and when she talks to me it's like an aphrodisiac
said sophomore Mike Clifton.
Mixed Signals
However, accents are not always positive.
Some people are intrigued by accents
and some people areturned off. Accents can be negative because people can tell that I am not from here and some people may feel threatened by that. But in acollege town more people are intrigued
