[LORE] The Imperial accent

[ErikNikolai]

I remember reading that Imperial citizens speak with a very unique kind of accent. Do anyone know what that accent might sound like, in example if it's based on the 'posh' English accent? The only description I've been able to find is the one below, however I've only found it on unofficial sites, and it's likely from earlier Elite games.

The accent of the Empire has evolved out of Achenarians trying to mock the standard Federation diction by accentuating certain vowels. To the foreigner their speech sounds rather like a whine.

Based on that description, their way of speaking certainly doesn't sound annoying at all... In any case, we'll probably find out once we're docking in Imperial territory.

 

[Fenris Wolf]

It's Welsh

Or perhaps Victorian English!

 

[EAGLE 5]

I always pictured Federation standard to be very much like TV News American-English and Imperial standard to be a very polished British-English.

Everything else would be a mix based on the location.

 

[beelbeebub]

In my head, the Imperials were sort of "Pride and Prejudice" in space, maybe with a dash of pre-civil war American South (mainly 'cos slaves), all about manners and social climbing
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Being in the uk FD should have loads of voice talent for some proper British accents in the Imperial stations.

 

[Count Iblis]

From the description it sounds like a cross between a whiny New York accent and a Dutch accent!

 

[Pulse]

I always pictured Federation standard to be very much like TV News American-English and Imperial standard to be a very polished British-English.

I feel like I have to mention this wherever I encounter someone mentioning the oxymoron 'british-english', what with england being but one country within the british isles - and the english language in that country being spoken in many (over 100) distinct accents

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_accents_of_English#England (that link isn't incredibly comprehensive, but it's a start)

I know you what mean though, the polished read:'posh' english accent being what we refer to as 'the queens english' which is usually exported to american screens via cliched villains and bbc period dramas, but the more you know

 

[Aran Thule]

I imagine the Empire as a mix of Rimmer (and not the Ace version) and Brittas, they should get Chris Barrie to do the voice acting

 

[Littleturn]

If it's British English I immediately think of the Imperial officers in Star Wars.
Also you know, Empire and Empire.

I'm not allowed to post links yet so here you go:
watch?v=ImzD8Th4vOU

 

[madassa648]

The Imperials probably do speak with the Received Pronounciation IE 'Queen's/Oxford English.

There would also be NO contractions of words, you'd not shorten words, that would be rude.

Basically what this talented young lady sounds like.

[video=youtube;zg1AQ5JmU9A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg1AQ5JmU9A[/video]

 

[Panzer]

In that case, I'd like the Alliance to be 40k-ork-like Cockney.

SHOOT DEM TA BLOODY MIST YE GITS!

 

[Eirichur]

Native English speakers: How would you describe the Imperial accent based on what you've heard at Imperial stations now?

 

[madassa648]

In that case, I'd like the Alliance to be 40k-ork-like Cockney.

SHOOT DEM TA BLOODY MIST YE GITS!

HERESY! A++ *BLAM*

Nah it would be that horrific hollywood mockney where everyones a loveable cockney-irish scamp

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Native English speakers: How would you describe the Imperial accent based on what you've heard at Imperial stations now?

I've not been to an Imperial Station yet, is there any vids out there with the voice?

 

[Eirichur]

I've not been to an Imperial Station yet, is there any vids out there with the voice?

I've made a recording and uploaded it to DropBox. You can download it here.

 

[madassa648]

You good Sir/Madame are a Star.

Or a Star Destroyer, i'll let you choose.

His Most Imperial Majesty would though of course be voiced by Sir Ian McKellan

Hmmm...after hearing that i'd say that sounds like...Queen's Chinese :s The accent was asian sounding but there was undue emphasis on the words, no contrations etc.

 

[Dreamcaster]

For the first time I have landed on an Imperial allied station (not directly owned/controlled by the Empire, but still in the Empire space), in the Eurybia system
I would say that the traffic control lady was speaking in a Singaporean accent.

 

[EAGLE 5]

For the first time I have landed on an Imperial allied station (not directly owned/controlled by the Empire, but still in the Empire space), in the Eurybia system
I would say that the traffic control lady was speaking in a Singaporean accent.

Yeah I finally got around visiting some Imperial systems and all I can think... Asian Flight Attendant

Not what I was expecting.

 

[Ericksson]

Yeah I finally got around visiting some Imperial systems and all I can think... Asian Flight Attendant

Not what I was expecting.

Yep, very blade runner in the Empire. Odd as the Emperor has a distinctly French sounding name.

 

[DaveB]

Surrey. Either that or Berkshire.

 

[insanephoton]

Yep, very blade runner in the Empire. Odd as the Emperor has a distinctly French sounding name.

Historically the French controlled Indo-China ( parts of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) so who knows. It's also notable that the Imperial family name is not dissimilar to the former dictators of Haiti. Given 1300 years of people being free to mix with each other, there is a good chance that some of the current accents will have been lost and old geographical associations of names will no longer hold true.

 

[Eirichur]

I half-expect Imperial cities to look like a more futuristic version of Hong Kong. There's definitely some strong associations. The Empire seems to be based on the British Empire, and Hong Kong has traditionally been one of its colonies. The Empire is described as being radically capitalist, and Hong Kong is currently the most capitalist place on Earth. In terms of the Imperial way of speaking, I figure many people in Hong Kong likely speak British English (as a second language) with a bit of an Asian accent.