Debora Dale Alt logo
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
where fear and passion collide
Debora Dale Alt logo
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
where fear and passion collide

In walks a beautiful woman with poise, talent, a sense of humor and a quick wit. She’s tapped for a role in an American television show, packs her bags, gives goodbye kisses and heads to the big time. American fame. International fame.

Hold on!

What did she say? What? No, no, it’s not that she said something dreadful. It’s that she pronounced it dreadfully. Or so it is said.

So it goes for the beautiful Cheryl Cole – a star and sweetheart in her native England – who was chosen as a Judge on Simon Cowell’s The X Factor. She was a judge on the British version and so, I assume, it was logical to invite her to the states. But her presence was nixed before the show started, supposedly, because her accent is too high-country for us Americans to understand or appreciate.

“I don’t care how you treat me. I don’t mind your swearing at me.I shouldn’t mind a black eye; I’ve had one before this. But I won’t be passed over!” ~Eliza Doolittle

Now I don’t know about anyone else, but I love listening to accents from all over the world – and even from within my own country. Besides, who am I to talk about someone else’s accent when I speak Brooklyn? Fuggetaboudit.

Don’t you love the Geico gecko? Didn’t we all watch – and listen hard – to the Harry Potter movies? Weren’t some of the accents a tad thick? Didn’t you have to replay the DVD here and there for clarity? Did you mind? Seriously?

Now, I confess, I wanted to hear the Newcastle accent that cost this young woman a job. I admit, I really have to listen at times but no more so than I had to listen hard to my grandfather’s Sicilian accent. It is what it is. And, in my opinion, it’s not only interesting, it makes the world a little smaller. And I kinda like that.

What about you? Listen to these clips, tell me if you think her accent is too thick for an American audience or if you think there may be another reason this young lady was denied the job.

“The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated.” ~ Eliza Doolittle

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