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Isolated for six months, scientists in Antarctica began to develop their own accent (www.bbc.com)

submitted 4 months ago by ooli@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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[-] someguy3@lemmy.ca 62 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

You put international researchers from different countries together, it doesn't surprise me that it would blend together.

Among those staying at Rothera that winter were a couple of Americans, an Icelandic mechanic, a few Germans, some Scots and a Welsh speaker.

[-] Wrench@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago

Yep, intentionally modifying your speech patterns to be understood better isn't exactly adopting a new accent, it's just using simpler/common words and enunciating.

[-] tributarium@lemmy.world 10 points 4 months ago

In the article they talk about extremely subtle pronounciation changes. It doesn't seem like it was a conscious decision.

I used to have a job where I was the only non-Indian on my team and I didn't go as far as to develop an accent (also I went home every day lol unlike these guys) but I felt like I was unintentionally picking up some Indian affectations/word orders.

[-] Crashumbc@lemmy.world 8 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Absolutely, my sister spent 2 years in Southern California (we're from East Coast). I went out to visit and she had adopted a S C accent. The crazy thing is when she was talking to me she would switch back totally unconsciously, she had no idea she was switching.