One of my contacts on the Polyglot community asked which language I like to hear. Let's start with English, British English. I shall come to American accents later.
British English
I love to hear English with an upper class accent. I especially like the characters in the film The Ladykillers. Every word is clear. Even the villains are a delight to listen to. It is a film a recommend to people who want to learn English from films.
I also like the Queen's Speech, or rather the Christmas Message. (The Queen's speech is what she delivers when opening Parliament.) A good film to watch would be The King's Speech.
Swedish
Swedish sounds to me like upper class English. Perhaps the upper class inherited their accents from the Vikings
Yiddish
Yiddish is a delight, especially when telling a joke.
Welsh
Welsh is wonderfully sing-song and makes me smile. But useless for romance, because it makes me giggle. I once listened to a Welshman on the phone trying to romance me. I could not take him seriously.
However, listen to the Dylan Thomas, reading his own work, under Milk Wood, or Richard Burton.
Mellifluous Music
When listening to music it is different. I like French, Italian (especially opera), Yiddish, Welsh with harps and Chinese set to plaintive music.
American Music
Start at the beginning chronologically with Civil War songs: My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord ... Marching music. All the old Forster songs. Oh Susannah. Dixie. I loved them as a child, before I had even travelled to the USA.
Now that I have travelled to the USA many times, and all around the USA, as well as living there for three years, songs and movies evoke so many memories.
American Humour
I love the humour. The Marx Brothers. The stupid hairstyles of Groucho. His silent brother.
Woody Allen's classic jokes, such as his comment on his girlfriend's parking, I think I can walk to the pavement form here. (Did he say sidewalk?)
All the sayings from the American Presidents, which I hear quoted so often in meetings of speakers' clubs which are part of Toastmasters International which has clubs worldwide. The business of America is business.
Major figures. Martin Luther King junior: I have a dream.
Mae West's jokes: Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me? ... The numerous men lining up to meet her, provoking her response, "I'm tired. Send one of them home." Plus, what we often quote, "Peel me a grape."
Marilyn Monroe at Niagara Falls. On the train. Anywhere.
I adore American Country music with a southern accent. Even the saddest song is like rock and roll and makes you want to dance. I love the twists in the tales. Garth Brooks, I've got friends in low places.
Plus barbershop. Frankie Valli. I just watched The Jersey Boys. The Beach Boys.
When Covid-19 is over, I hope to visit the American Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame.
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Member of Harrovian Speakers Toastmasters International club in NW London; also VP PR for Braddell Heights Advanced club in Singapore.
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travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
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