People from which country can speak English with a less pronounced foreign accent? (movies, school)

[MalaMan]

The people from which country can speak English in a more "natural" way, without sounding foreign?

I have heard many people saying that Brazilians can speak American English very well in the United States, in a degree that many Americans don't perceive any foreign accent.

What other people can speak English more naturally, without foreign accent?

Is that true that all Arabs speak English with that peculiar accent that we see in the movies?

[f1000]

Well, Australians & Brits speaking English in America sound "foreign"

Regarding non-English-speaking groups, most Dutch speak English in the most understandable unaffected manner, i've encountered a few and didnt realize they're visitors from Netherlands until quite deep into communication (they do quite a good job with the standard American accent, i mean)

I have encountered many Brazilians here in America (were here for various reasons be it study or travel), and you can surely detect the accent..of course depends on each person, their knack of language, their individual efforts, etc etc

[dragonborn]

Scandinavians for me speak impeccable English. This is reflected by their mega success in the English speaking world's entertainment (music and film) business. Many Scandinavian footballers who play in the Premier League for a length of time end up sounding English, e.g. Peter Schmeichel ended up with a Mancunian accent after playing for Man Utd for so long.

Perhaps 'Scandinavian English' should be created, as it spoken so well in Norway, Sweden and Denmark?

[hspinnler]

I'll offer Canadians. Eh?

[LindavG]

Originally Posted by f1000

Well, Australians & Brits speaking English in America sound "foreign"

Regarding non-English-speaking groups, most Dutch speak English in the most understandable unaffected manner, i've encountered a few and didnt realize they're visitors from Netherlands until quite deep into communication (they do quite a good job with the standard American accent, i mean)

I have encountered many Brazilians here in America (were here for various reasons be it study or travel), and you can surely detect the accent..of course depends on each person, their knack of language, their individual efforts, etc etc

I have heard that before but I personally can detect a Dutch accent from a mile away I'm sure I have it too :/

[MalaMan]

Well, about Brazilians, one case that I know was my cousin. She lived in the USA for one year. After 10 months living in Arkansas, she traveled to New York. Once there, she was asked several times if she was from Arkansas. Nobody asked if she was foreign, everyone asked if she was from Arkansas... She was speaking English with the Arkansas accent.

I know a couple other similar cases, and this is why I started the thread....

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by dragonborn

Scandinavians for me speak impeccable English. This is reflected by their mega success in the English speaking world's entertainment (music and film) business. Many Scandinavian footballers who play in the Premier League for a length of time end up sounding English, e.g. Peter Schmeichel ended up with a Mancunian accent after playing for Man Utd for so long.

Perhaps 'Scandinavian English' should be created, as it spoken so well in Norway, Sweden and Denmark?

I agree with that. Despite the stereotypes, most Scandinavians spoke with an almost English accent. I mean of course they still had their accents, but they spoke clearly and pronounced things correctly for the most part.

In Europe I have to say Spain, Italy and then France are not good at all.

[swisswife]

I think the English are by far the best, even if we have an accent its still an English one...

[dragonborn]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I agree with that. Despite the stereotypes, most Scandinavians spoke with an almost English accent. I mean of course they still had their accents, but they spoke clearly and pronounced things correctly for the most part.

In Europe I have to say Spain, Italy and then France are not good at all.

I think that those from Germanic countries would have an easier time speaking English than those from countries where Romance languages are the primary languages. English is a Germanic language after all, but with heavy Norman and Latin influence.

I have actually been teaching myself Swedish. I find it far easier to learn and speak than French, which I learnt at school for many years.

[jtur88]

Arabic speakers in the Middle East have no trouble with English phonemes and the rhythm of the language, so they sound nearly perfect as soon as they pick up the vocabulary and idioms. They are very proficient at memorization.