| accent (phonology) |
| Definition -
(1) The parts of your pronunciation that show what place you are from and/or which social class you belong to (e.g., a German accent). (2) The way in which anything is said, i.e., the pronunciation, tone, modulation or feeling. |
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Example - Here are various English accests performed by Peter Sellers, a real pro: Here are some by a talented amateur: |
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Etymology - The word accent derives via French from the Latin accentus, song added to speech (from ad-, to + cantus, a singing). Note: The Latin word was coined as a loan translation of the Greek prosoidia, which purportedly described the pitch scheme used in Greek verse. |
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Oxford English Dictionary - Its first citation in sense (1) is from 1600: "Your accent is something finer, then you could purchase in so remoued a dwelling." (Shakespeare, As You Like it, iii. ii. 359) |