If you’re a fan of classical Hollywood films , you've probably noticed that the actors speak in a peculiar accent. Made famous by the likes of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, it's difficult to place the origin of this strange accent—it's not the General American accent , but it's not quite British , either.
This is what's known as the Transatlantic or Mid-Atlantic accent.
An intriguing bit of linguistics, let's explore how the Transatlantic accent came to be, what makes it so unique, and how you can incorporate it into your English language toolkit.
What is the Transatlantic Accent? A fascinating manner of speaking that blends the American and the British way of speaking, the Transatlantic accent was once all the rage across the silver screens and the stages of theater.
Named because of its unique half British, half American pronunciation (hence, forming a bridge across the Atlantic), this way of speaking had its heyday in the early- to mid-20th century. However, it still holds a special place in modern culture, with contemporary performers, linguists, and enthusiasts alike having revived this speaking style and weaving it into modern art.
Listen to this excerpt of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in the 1940 film The Philadelphia Story. Notice how their pronunciation is comprehensible yet peculiar, and doesn't reflect a single geographic place of origin.
The Transatlantic accent is characterized by its clear enunciation, smooth rhythm, and almost musical quality. It portrays sophistication and class, which is actually why it was created in the first place—yes, created.
Unlike most accents which evolve naturally over time, the Transatlantic accent was deliberately coined as a marker of social class and unification. It was popularized in the early 20th century, particularly among the American elite, and was often taught in private schools and drama classes.
Its primary purpose was to create an accent that was a hybrid, half British and half American. Therefore, it was nearly impossible to tell what region or country a person was from when they spoke with the mid Atlantic accent.
Origin and Cultural Impact The rise of the Transatlantic accent is closely tied to early 20th-century theater and after the Silent Era—that is, the period where the visual presentation of characters was prioritized over their voices.
By the 1920s and 1930s, Hollywood had become the entertainment world's epicenter and synchronized sound in film emerged. During this time, the Transatlantic accent was seen as the perfect choice for portraying sophisticated, educated, and often wealthy characters.
Actors were encouraged to undergo accent training to learn this accent and appeal to American and British audiences alike. Icons like Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis went ahead and adopted this accent, further embedding it into the cultural consciousness.
While the transatlantic accent was most prominent in Hollywood and among the American upper class, it also had a strong presence in educational institutions. Schools taught this accent as part of pronunciation lessons, emphasizing its association with a polished and educated persona.
The Unique Features of the Transatlantic Accent The Transatlantic accent has several distinguishable linguistic and phonetic features. Its core features include:
Non-Rhoticity
Non-rhoticity is a feature where the R sound is not pronounced unless it is followed by a vowel sound.
For example, in words like "park" and "horse," the R would be dropped, resulting in pronunciations like /pɑːk/ and /hɔːs/ . This differentiates the Transatlantic pronunciation from the standard rhotic American R .
Rounded Vowel Sounds
Rounded vowels are vowel sounds produced with the lips rounded or protruded. The rounding of the lips alters the shape of the vocal tract, which affects the sound quality of the vowel, giving it a distinct "darker" or "fuller" tone.
The Transatlantic accent often employs more rounded and elongated vowel sounds than relaxed ones. Good examples of rounded vowel sounds include the /u/ in "boot," /ɔ/ in "thought," and /oʊ/ in "go."
On the other hand, relaxed vowel sounds include /i/ in "see,” /e/ in "bed," and /æ/ as in "cat."
Crisp Articulation
One of the main differences between American and British pronunciation is that while Americans will pronounce words such as "butter" or "water" with a flap sound, UK English speakers will fully enunciate those crisp /t/ sounds.
The Transatlantic accent mimics the British tendency in this regard, favoring clear, precise articulation and sharp Ts.
Take a look at BoldVoice coach Ron explaining the concept of the flap T and how it's differentiated from the /t/ or /d/ sounds.
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Rhythmic and Intonational Patterns
The rhythm and intonation of the Transatlantic accent are also distinct, with a slightly more even cadence compared to many other general and regional American accents.
Its intonation is typically more dramatic, with a distinct rise and fall that expresses a certain musicality.
Listen and compare the Transatlantic accent spoken by Cate Blanchett to the General American accent spoken by Leonardo DiCaprio in this excerpt from The Aviator . Pay special attention to the expressive rise and fall in pitch and the differing intonation patterns between the two actors:
What Happened to the Transatlantic Accent? By now you've likely noticed that you don't often encounter people speaking with this peculiar accent when you're out and about. So what happened?
The era of the Transatlantic accent was truly unique, however, its decline began in the post-World War II era. American culture became more focused on authenticity, equality, and regional identity. By the 1960s, the accent had largely fallen out of fashion and was replaced by a greater emphasis on individuality in speech.
Although this accent is no longer widely used, it still holds a place in modern culture, particularly for nostalgia and retro aesthetics. Because it is associated with the Golden Age of Hollywood, it continues to be used to evoke the charm and sophistication of a bygone era.
And in recent years, there has been a resurgence, particularly among actors, podcasters, and voice artists who wish to add a unique and versatile skill to their repertoire. The accent’s refined sound makes it suitable for certain roles, especially those set in the early 20th century or those requiring a character with a cultivated upper-class background.
How to Learn the Transatlantic Accent The Transatlantic accent is on the upswing! If you're interested in learning it out of personal interest, for professional success , or just as a fun party trick, here are the steps you should take:
1. Listen and Imitate
The first step in learning the Transatlantic accent is to listen to examples of it being spoken. Since this accent was most prominent in the early- to mid-20th century, you most likely won’t pick it up in daily conversation. Therefore, classic and vintage films and broadcasts are excellent resources.
Some great movies you can start with include Gone with the Wind (1939), His Girl Friday (1940), Casablanca (1942), and Bringing Up Baby (1938). While listening, try to imitate the speakers as closely as possible and focus on replicating the actor’s sounds and overall rhythm and flow.
2. Practice with Technology
The Transatlantic accent reigned in an era when technology wasn't so advanced, but now technology can help you master it. With tools like the BoldVoice app , you can master the accent’s basic phonetic features and practice them in context using interactive exercises.
BoldVoice is beginner-friendly, such that you can simply repeat words and phrases that emphasize key sounds, then gradually advance to longer passages and dialogues. You can also use the app’s role-playing feature to simulate scenarios and practice them to perfection!
3. Incorporate the Accent into Your Speech
As you become more comfortable with the Transatlantic accent, start incorporating it into your everyday speech or performance practice. If you’re learning the accent for professional purposes, try using it in conversations, auditions, or voice-over work.
Remember—the more you use it, the more natural it will become.
4. Seek Feedback and Fine-Tune
Receiving feedback is essential when learning a new accent.
If you can, work with a dialect coach who can provide expert guidance and help you fine-tune your pronunciation. You can also leverage BoldVoice’s speech analysis feature to evaluate your speech and track your learning progress.
If professional coaching isn’t an option, consider joining online forums or groups where you can share recordings and receive constructive feedback from others learning the accent.
Elevate Your Transatlantic Accent Skills While the Transatlantic accent has largely faded from everyday use since the mid-20th century, its legacy remains in modern performing arts. This accent was once a symbol of elegance and social prestige and it remains a beloved hallmark of classic cinema.
With a modern resurgence of interest among professional performers and enthusiasts who seek to add a touch of vintage to their performances, we can confidently say that the Transatlantic accent is back (at least, sort of)!
If you’re looking for a great beginner- or advanced-friendly platform to brush up your accent, sign up on BoldVoice and enjoy a seven-day free trial with lessons from Hollywood accent coaches and instant AI-powered pronunciation feedback.
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