Kiwis ’sing in an American-influenced accent’
By ANIWednesday, July 28, 2010
WELLINGTON - Kiwis may talk in their regular accents, but when they croon, they do so in American accents, says a new research.
AUT University culture, discourse and communication masters student Andy Gibson found that New Zealanders struggle to sing in their native accent.
“Studies in the past have suggested that non-American singers wilfully put on American accents but my research suggests the opposite - that an American-influenced accent is the default when singing pop,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Gibson as saying.
However, he is quick to defend ‘accented’ singers.
“To sing in a New Zealand accent takes awareness and effort, and it is usually quite noticeable because it is so uncommon,” he said.
“The American accent doesn’t stick out in singing because we are so used to hearing it,” Gibson added.
But not all pop musicians sing with the default pop accent.
“Anika Moa has moments here and there where you can definitely hear her distinct New Zealand vowels.” (ANI)
