Learning British Accent Newsletter Roundup

This is a collection of my daily emails that I send my British Accent subscribers.

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How To Tell A Liar By The Way They Speak

Have you been watching The Traitors on the BBC? The new season hasn’t disappointed and is proving compulsive viewing yet again! If its true they’re making a UK celebrity version I cannot wait!!

If you’ve been enjoying the show as much as we have, you might find today’s topic a helpful guide to spotting the Traitors deceptions during their next Round Table.

Let's delve into the art of spotting a liar through their speech….

1. Speech Patterns: Hesitation And Delay

Liars often employ little hesitation techniques like peppering their sentences with "um"s and "uh"s. These verbal stumbles indicate cognitive overload as they concoct their tales. These little words give them enough breathing space to evaluate their answers and time to choose the right words to camouflage the truth.

2. Pace and Pitch: The Unintended Crescendo

When someone’s speech suddenly resembles a rollercoaster—rapid-fire chatter followed by snail-paced drawls, or an unexpected pitch hike—it might be more than just excitement. Such irregularities can signal deception.

3. Vague Vocabulary: The Art of Saying Nothing

Liars might cloak their fibs in vagueness, offering non-specific answers and dodging details. If responses are as clear as a London fog, it's time to raise an eyebrow.

4. Overcompensation: The Excessive Eloquence

In an effort to appear truthful, deceivers may overcompensate with elaborate stories, unnecessary details, or excessive politeness. This "overkill high performance" is a red flag.

5. Self-Reference: The Vanishing 'I'

Liars often distance themselves from their fibs by minimizing self-references. A sudden drop in "I" or "me" usage can be a subtle cue of deception.

So as you settle down to watch the next Traitors episode, keep these 5 indicators in mind as you watch how the Traitors engage with their Faithful compatriots.

PS: if you’d like to lie or tell the truth in a fabulous RP British accent, my

British Accent Bundle awaits you. Get it before the New Year sale ends!

Mastering 'Make' vs. 'Do': Because English Isn't Confusing Enough

Ah, English—the language that keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you've got it, along come 'make' and 'do' to remind you that life is full of surprises. Let's untangle this duo so you can select the appropriate option every time.

A General Rule:

• Do: Use 'do' for actions, duties, or tasks—think of it as the grunt work.
• Make: Reserve 'make' for creating or producing something—essentially, when you're bringing something into existence.

'Do' in Action:

• Do the laundry: Because those clothes won't wash themselves.
• Do your homework: Procrastination's arch-nemesis.
• Do the dishes: The chore that never says goodbye.

'Make' in Motion:

• Make a cake: Channel your inner Mary Berry.
• Make a decision: Because flipping a coin isn't always appropriate.
• Make a mess: Some people just call it 'art'.

Pronunciation Pointers in RP:

• 'Do': Its that long ooo sound that rhymes with 'shoe'. Lips rounded and pout
• 'Make': Starts with an 'm' sound, followed by the diphthong?/e?/,ending with a crisp 'k'.

Mastering these nuances not only polishes your grammar but also adds that quintessential British flair to your speech.

Ready to conquer more linguistic quirks and sound like you just stepped out of a BBC drama?

My British Accent Bundle (https://learningbritishaccent.com/product/british-accent-bundle-12-month-access-2/) is your ticket to eloquence, minus the stiff upper lip.

Cheers to speaking (and choosing verbs) like a true Brit!

Take the Make Or Do Quiz

Test your knowledge of when to use "do" or "make" in English! Choose the correct verb for each sentence.

You can access the quiz here:?https://learningbritishaccent....

Enjoy!

Don't take yourself too seriously

Ever noticed how adopting a British accent instantly elevates your tea-drinking experience? Suddenly, that supermarket Earl Grey tastes like it was brewed in Buckingham Palace.

Let’s not be ridiculous - of course it doesn’t !

While mastering the Received Pronunciation (RP) accent can make you sound as if you debate politics with the King, it’s essential to remember: we’re here to have fun, not to become the next James Bond.

Taking yourself too seriously in the process? That’s where things can backfire. When you obsess over every vowel or nitpick your consonants to the point of paranoia, it chips away at your confidence. You start seeing yourself as a “work in progress” rather than appreciating how far you’ve come. And guess what? Others don’t notice those tiny slip-ups you’re stressing about. They’re too busy being impressed by your newfound elegance.

Studies suggest that RP speakers are often perceived as more authoritative and credible. It's like adding a touch of sophistication to your speech without needing to don a monocle.

However, let's keep our expectations in check. Perfecting your RP accent won't grant you a knighthood or an immediate understanding of cricket. But it will make your speech clearer and perhaps even impress your friends at parties.

The truth is, progress loves a light-hearted approach. Our course is designed to make learning RP enjoyable and engaging. We believe humor is your best ally in mastering any skill. If you’re too busy laughing at the quirks of the English language, there’s no room for self-doubt.

So, if you’re ready to add a dash of British charm to your conversations without taking yourself too seriously, join us. You’ll learn more, laugh more, and sound like the toast of the town in no time.

Cheers to speaking elegantly without the stiff upper lip!