The Magic of The Mid Atlantic Accent in Voice Over
Top female voice talent Susannah Kenton specialises in a hybrid English accent that, like Goldilocks’ porridge, is neither too warm nor too cold, but is a perfect temperature and fit for voice-over projects around the world.
Pure British Flair in Voice Over
A well-spoken British accent, also known as Received Pronunciation, or RP, immediately adds class, luxury, sophistication and intelligence to a voice over project. It’s ideal for high-end car commercials or exclusive cosmetic brands. However, outside of the UK, a very British accent can often feel, well… too British.
The Downside of a British Accent
The shadow side of the British accent, is a tone of imperialism and condescension, a sense that the voice over is speaking down to the listener. A British accent may come across as cold and haughty and may distance, rather than pull in, an audience. In a global context where so many people speak English, if not as their first language, then as their second, not everyone is an Anglophile. Many of those whose native tongue is not British may even find the RP British accent hard to understand.
Does the American Accent Work Better?
In contrast to British, there is the standard US accent, which many cultures around the world grow up listening to through film and TV, video games, social media channels, etc. It carries the American spirit and can come across as bold, adventurous, easy going and friendly. However, just as the British accent can distance a certain audience, so too can the American accent – not everyone is a fan of US culture (or politics!).
What Accent is “Just Right” for Global Voice Overs?
Is there a universally appreciated and useable accent for English-speaking projects from Taipei to Tanzania? Perhaps. Consider the hybrid accent often referred to as mid-Atlantic. This isn’t the mid-Atlantic accent of Hollywood films from the 1940s. It’s a blended accent that falls somewhere between British and American. It may also go by the label of a Transatlantic accent, Global English accent, Neutral English accent, or Non-Regional English accent.
The Charm of the Transatlantic/Mid Atlantic Accent
The mid Atlantic accent is easy on the ears and universally embraceable. It’s an accent often sought by international companies and organizations for their voice-over projects when they want to appeal to a worldwide audience. For companies on a budget, it has the advantage of being able to cover both US territories and markets beyond. When this accent is done well, the origin of the person speaking is hard to identify. Like some of the best dogs adopted from the pound, whose true lineage remains a mystery, the Transatlantic or mid Atlantic accent can reach into and captivate far-flung hearts.
Customised Mid Atlantic Voice Over Demos
Susannah Kenton has been delivering mid-Atlantic/global accent voice over projects for nearly two decades. For some customers, she skews the accent more towards the British accent, for others more towards an American one.
Susannah’s Voice also offers tutorials on YouTube to demonstrate the process and help aspiring voice talents and other professionals hone their own hybrid accent, whether they are starting from a US accent base or a British one. To hear a sample of your own voice over project in a mid-Atlantic accent and to request a free quote, contact Susannah at vopro (at) fastmail.net.
Susannah’s Voice also offers tutorials on YouTube to demonstrate the process and help aspiring voice talents and other professionals hone their own hybrid accent, whether they are starting from a US accent base or a British one. To hear a sample of your own voice over project in a mid-Atlantic accent and to request a free quote, contact Susannah at vopro (at) fastmail.net.