From Down Under to Down South

Why Americans Think All Accents Sound the Same


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Americans don’t think all accents sound the same.

They just haven’t had enough practice yet.

As an Aussie living in the United States, I’ve lost count of how many times my accent has been guessed as British, Irish… or “Australian, but kind of British.”

In this episode, I explore why that happens — and why it’s not as simple as people assume.

We’ll look at:

• Why unfamiliar accents blur together
 • How film and television shape what we think accents “should” sound like
 • Why Australians are often just as bad at distinguishing American accents
 • And what accent recognition actually says about exposure and identity

This isn’t a roast. It’s perspective.

Accents carry history, geography, and class — and unless you grow up surrounded by them, your brain fills in the gaps.

If you’ve ever misidentified an accent — or had yours misidentified — you’ll probably recognise yourself in this one.

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Thanks for listening.

Hoo roo maties.

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From Down Under to Down SouthBy Aussie Mike