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One of the least cosmopolitan parts of England although Exeter and Plymouth do have immigrant communities. There are a fair number of incomers from other parts of Britain. A beautiful part of England which is well worth a visit if you come over. I've holidayed there many a time and found the people to be pleasant although some do have an attitude towards holdaymakers from other, more urbanised parts of Britain. They have a name for us Townies - 'Grockels' !
Generally rural, Devon is a big county by English standards. Plymouth is the biggest city, with about a quarter of a million people, and is a major naval port. Exeter is the county seat and cathedral city. Torbay is a major resort - the 'English Riviera'. The Devon accent is what some people would describe as rural or rustic, although Devon people might resent that description. You can hear similarities between a West Country accent and an American accent.
Its funny you mentions how southwest England sounds like a US accent, over on the history board there is a discussion about accents and they mention that the current US accent is closer to how we all spoke three hundred years ago, but the British accent deviated more than the colonies accent did.
Which kinda makes sence why Canada and the US have quite different accents than Australia, NZ, and South Africa as we were settled earlier than the others...
American's use some words that the English have not used for a long time, most notably the 'Fall' season whereas we say 'Autumn',although I understand that older people in a certain area of England ( Sussex, possibly) are known to still say 'Fall'.
West Country accents have a 'burr'. River is 'rivurr' and never is 'nevurr.' Which is not unlike American pronunciation. The pop band XTC - who come from Wiltshire - sing in their native accent yet don't sound un-American, either. Unlike some other British bands/singers, they do not have to adapt their voices accordingly.
Just wondering....my ancestry is from Devonshire, Exeter area. Are there any characteristics that shine through for folks from this area?
Where are all you other ancestors from?
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