ACCENTS AND DIALECTS : WHY ENGLISH SOUNDS SO DIFFERENT AROUND THE WORLD

Written By : Karenina Fernandya

Why Does English Sounds Different?

Why does English in Sydney, New York, or London sound so different? The reasons lie in history, geography, and cultural change.

Historical Changes, The Great Vowel Shift (1400s–1700s) in Britain changed pronunciation drastically. Example: “bite” once sounded like “beet.”

Colonization, English spread worldwide. Local cultures shaped new dialects → American English vs British English; Australian/New Zealand English developed unique vowels and slang.

Geographical Isolation, Remote communities preserved older forms. Example: Newfoundland (Canada) still keeps 16th-century words; “y’all” in Appalachian English.

Example Difference: 

UK → schedule (re: shed-yool)

US → schedule (re: “sked-jool”).

Between Accents and Dialects

English is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people on every continent, earning it the moniker "global language." However, depending on where you are, even though the language is the same, it rarely sounds the same. Accents and dialects are the main causes. Both of them have main differences, such as:

• Accents: All about pronounciation, the sounds of words.

Example: “Tomato”

1. British English: to- MAH-to

2. American English: to-MAY-to.

• Dialects: more further, including pronounciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Example: “Apartemen”

1. British English: Flat

American English: Apartment

Dialects and Local Influences

Dialects use language and vocabulary to represent culture, identity, and history, whereas accents alter the way words sound.

Vocabulary Variations:

1. US: candies -> UK: confections

2. UK: lorry -> US: truck

3. Nigeria: "I'll flash you" translates to "I'll call for a little while and then hang up."

Differences in Grammar:

1. UK: I just finished eating.

2. US: I just finished eating.

Integrating Local Languages:

1. Indian English introduces words like prepone (opposite of postpone) , a useful invention.

2. Singlish (Singaporean English) which combines English with Malay, Chinese like: "Don't like that, lah!" and Tamil.

   
   

Social Identity and Status:

1. Received Pronunciation used to be linked to upper-class prestige in the UK.

2. A Southern accent in the US is a reflection of cultural identity, history, and pride in the area.

   
   

So, dialects show that English is not just a neutral tool, but a mirror of local traditions, cultures, and identities.

Sources :

• Language Point Training. (2021, October 28). Accents, dialects and varieties of English: What’s the difference and why are they important for teachers? Language Point Training. https://www.languagepointtraining.com/post/accents-dialects-and-varieties-of-english-what-s-the-difference-and-why-are-they-important-for-te

• The Guardian. (2025, January 7). Cockney influences found in Scotland, Australia and New Zealand, says expert. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/07/cockney-influences-found-in-scotland-australia-and-new-zealand-says-expert

• Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 23). Great Vowel Shift. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Vowel_Shift

• Wikipedia contributors. (2024, August 14). Non-native pronunciations of English. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-native_pronunciations_of_English