like whom do you sound?

[John_Carrick]

I was told in Glasgow once I don't have an accent.
I'm sort of received pronunciation English

[KD Burke]

I was raised in the Deep South (Southeastern US to those unfamilar with the idiom) in the late 60s and early 70s. At the time, the news reports seemed to be filled with terrible things caused by ignorant or hateful people in my part of the world. With the exception of the aforementioned Andy Griffith, every person in the mass media with a "Southern" accent was portrayed as ignorant, foolish, and ususally venal.

I suppose that due to the negative connotations I associated with my own speech, I subconsciously emulated newscasters and others with the generic "Mid-Atlantic" accent. That is how I sound most often.

When I am around my close kin, or very tired, or depressed my speech tends to slow, and some words mysteriously gain syllables. On those occasions, I sound a bit like the late Shelby Foote.

[bniles]

I've never been told I sound like anyone in particular either.

It's funny how many others of you have intentionally changed your accent, though, as I did the same. I grew up in Oklahoma, and as a teenager I decided I didn't want to have the accent, especially once I knew I would be leaving to go to New England.

Of course, when I moved to Connecticut, I was met with much dissapointment. People who knew I was coming from Oklahoma were constantly saying "Oh, I expected a cute little southern accent!" Instead I sounded pretty much just like people native to Connecticut.

Now, almost 15 years later, I actually struggle to do the Oklahoma accent when I try, unless I've talked to someone in my family on the phone very recently.

[sailortats]

I was born and raised in New England, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I have lived in San Francisco California for the past 34 years but people still pick up on my "Boston" accent occasionally. People in the NE of Massachusetts tend not to pronounce the letter "R". As I say to anyone, jokingly, that comments on my accent, "I still pahk my cah in Hahvad yahd". I am always pleased when someone picks up on my accent and I am very happy that I have not lost it altogether.

[Mikilt]

I have never lived any place where folks are known to have a distinct accent. At most, I have picked up local idioms that might identify me as being from a certain place.

[Tobus]

Can't say I've ever had my accent/voice compared to anyone famous. I'd even venture to say that anyone with an accent/voice like mine would probably not become famous. I sometimes stutter or mush my words together, to the point where I often wonder if I have an undiagnosed speech impediment.

I did most of my growing up out in West Texas, so I had a pretty pronounced "Texas twang". It mostly went away, though I still do have a bit of a general Texas accent compared to others. But my twang comes out when I get really excited or flustered.

[Liam]

I've been told I sound a lot like my twin brother! Hahaha

[PiperOfThePlains]

I have been told, mostly due to a major misalignment of my teeth, that I sound like Sheldon Cooper. Then again, as I have always been an enjoyer of vocal manipulation, I have also been told that I sound like Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) when excited/nervous, and Leonard Nimoy (Spock) when angry. Somehow, my "West" Texas draw has yet to set in...

[Creag]

I was raised in the Deep South (Southeastern US to those unfamilar with the idiom) in the late 60s and early 70s. At the time, the news reports seemed to be filled with terrible things caused by ignorant or hateful people in my part of the world. With the exception of the aforementioned Andy Griffith, every person in the mass media with a "Southern" accent was portrayed as ignorant, foolish, and ususally venal.

I suppose that due to the negative connotations I associated with my own speech, I subconsciously emulated newscasters and others with the generic "Mid-Atlantic" accent. That is how I sound most often.

I also grew up in the 70's Deep South and, for the same reasons, made a bit of a conscious effort to do away with my accent. Over time I figured out that it is the content and delivery, not the accent, that matters and I've relaxed and allowed some Southern accent and Southern phrases back in. I try to be an ambassador for what is good about the South and Southerners. Mrs. Jones tells me that my accent becomes more pronounced at family reunions out in the country.

But more to the point of the post, I've never been told that I sound like anyone famous.

[TomFromBama]

I also grew up in the 70's Deep South and, for the same reasons, made a bit of a conscious effort to do away with my accent. Over time I figured out that it is the content and delivery, not the accent, that matters and I've relaxed and allowed some Southern accent and Southern phrases back in. I try to be an ambassador for what is good about the South and Southerners. Mrs. Jones tells me that my accent becomes more pronounced at family reunions out in the country.

But more to the point of the post, I've never been told that I sound like anyone famous.

I grew up with a similar background, in South Louisiana - a place known for strong accents, but I've never tried to suppress any accent, because I've never really HAD an accent. Both my parents were born in LA, but spend significant portions of their childhood years elsewhere - and neither of them had strong accents. Between that and watching too much TV, my brother and I (at least to my my ear) sound pretty neutral, considering.

Funny though, in the South people tell me I lack any regional accent, but when I'm in other parts of the country, I'm often quickly pegged as a Southerner.
And like you, in all matters I try to be a good ambassador.

And I've never been told that I sound like anyone famous.