‘Trans-Atlantic’ and 'Mid-Atlantic' accents...

Let us clear up some misconceptions about the terms ‘Trans-Atlantic’ and 'Mid-Atlantic' accents.

It is not true that the ‘Trans-Atlantic’ accent is an entirely ' made up ‘ accent, without ‘true native’ speakers.

However, it is true that a ‘Trans-Atlantic' accent was more commonly observed in American actors of the 1930’s – 1950’s, having elite lineages, than in subsequent generations of American actors, especially present day actors…

First, it is not entirely made up, but was instead evolving at the time the term was phrased by a linguist. The accent was evolving amongst ‘upper crust’ social elites on 'both sides of the Atlantic' (meaning New England in America and England in the U.K.) as technology of steam ship travel and then air travel made transatlantic travel more frequent. Jet age travel resulted in whole new generations of the social elites to exist living simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic (and elsewhere) for multiple months every year. Typically these lifestyles were characterized by social and business interactions amongst elite community members frequently living in more than one place, for example, London and New York. Assimilation of a clean and clear accent devoid of pronunciation idiosyncrasies, attained it’s owned social status, indicating a person was no longer limited to living in one location.

Secondly, later generations followed on, and so did new generations of societal elites from places other than Britain and America. For example, the children of societal elites from other countries, often attending schooling in Britain, followed by University in America. There is now an entire international social strata that defines their identity by flaunting a transatlantic accent. And for many of the following generations, they are not merely flaunting- they know no other. They may have grown up with native mother tongue accents in entirely different languages, but after a young age, these are rarely used, and transatlantic English is used instead. As an example, this is especially noticeable among the Sindi community, their disapora now being dispersed internationally around the world, but with a large part of their cultural assimilation in the last 50 years in the UK and US. It is also not uncommon for such international community members to apply a thicker upper crust British accent to their conversations, or a more ‘flat’ American accent, as best suits their advantage and desire to be assimilated into the community they happen to be intermingling in during any specific social interaction, event, business meeting, or cocktail party- it is not an effort- it comes naturally !

The ‘Mid-Atlantic' accent is not the same as the ‘Trans-Atlantic' accent. The ':Mid-Atlantic' accent derives from usage of a clear and clean accent by Americans generally living in the 'Mid-Atlantic Seaboard states' of the USA. In other words, those states mid-way between the northern-most and southern-most states on the Atlantic coast of the USA. The term 'Mid-Atlantic' has absolutely nothing what-so-ever- to do with a notional geographical location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean between Britain and the USA, which some erstwhile 'experts' on the internet are now suggesting, due to their complete ignorance :) ) . It is distinctly more American than the Trans-Atlantic accent, and further South beyond Virginia, distinctly Southern and Appalachian accents become more prevalent; whereas further North the American variants of the 'Trans-Atlantic' accent become more apparent, for example in elite New York and Boston societies, where it was originally very popular. This accent was adapted by societal elites intermingling frequently especially when in the nations capitol, Washington DC, which is the heartland of the Mid-Atlantic Seaboard..

These two accents were prevalent among elitist societies on both sides of the Atlantic and co-existed across geographic regions alongside local accents of the 'plebs' . The local regional dialects were considered in elite society to be 'rough', indicating poor breeding and lack of education, and an embarrassment, whilst also being somewhat amusing . Recall if you can, the story line of 'My Fair Lady'. Being unable to converse in anything but the idiosyncratic pronunciation vagaries of lower class elements of society deserved a stigma indicating lower status. Both the 'Trans-Atlantic' and the ':Mid-Atlantic' accents readily and instantly identified members of the upper classes to one another, and to other lower ranking members of society.

The variations between the above mentioned accents are quite obvious and distinct to speakers and community members of either. To outsiders attempting to mimic or learn these accents, the challenge is daunting because the refinements in pronunciation are subtle but just as sweet, for the subtlety…. a gentle art that requires greater skill to apply, than applying a stronger, harsher accent of a lower class community from either side of the Atlantic. Class is no longer such an issue, but status identity still is, and is exercised with some comfort verging into glee, by those that are able to distinguish themselves accordingly….!

RYAN OL: Actor and Writer: TV & Film: Acting & Writing Credits and Social Media Links

Email: RYANOL.1@yandex.com

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