Accents

“The accent of our native country dwells in the heart and mind as well as on the tongue.” 

 François de la Rochefoucauld

So, enough of Birchermüesli which is a word nobody can pronounce anyway. Just like “Chuchichäschtli” or “Fuchsschwanz” which brings me to today’s blog theme: accents.

Accents are funny things. I spent my whole life in limbo between being American and British when in reality I’m probably Swiss?!? 

Thanks to my British mum and my Amercian Dad, I grew up between 3 linguistic worlds, British, American and Swiss. The Swiss part was the easy one: I lived in Switzerland, frequented Swiss public schools and I had the broadest Züridüütsch accent possible. In high school they used to make fun of my Zurich accent it was so redoubtable.

As for English; it might be one language but in our home there was an abyss between British English and American English. I am still today swimming somewhere in between the two. People frequently ask me where I am from because they cannot figure out which part of the world I originate (except of course if I’m speaking Swiss German, oder?).

My mother used to make me repeat a word 10 times in British English if I had pronounced it with an American lilt. Today I catch myself doing the same with my kids (maybe not 10 times though).

Which is my mother tongue? English and Swiss German. I will always be a Brit in America, an American in the UK and a Züri-Chick in Switzerland. Welcome to my world!

For a bit of entertainment I have added a video about accents which is definitely worth watching!