Why is the Scottish Accent so Sexy?
If you’ve watched a movie or television series based in Scotland and realised that you have a slight fancy for the Scottish accent, you aren’t alone.
Many people have confessed to melting at the sound of the Scottish accent, and if you completely understand this feeling, you might be wondering why. Let’s examine why the Scottish accent is so sexy, why foreign accents seem so attractive in general, and the benefits of using Scottish accents in content.
The Difference Between Accent and Dialect
First things first, it’s essential to make the distinction between an accent and a dialect, which is something that people often use interchangeably.
What is an accent? The best way to define an accent is how the words in a language are pronounced based on the area of a particular country. In other words, people in a specific country might all speak the same language, but the way the words are pronounced differs depending on the exact location – It’s all about how it sounds.
What is a dialect? A dialect can best be defined as a form of language that is used by people in a specific area of a country or region in terms of vocabulary and grammar. For example, in some countries, there might be many dialects; there are 141 dialects spoken in China, possibly more, and 544 dialects spoken in India. However, Russia only has 3 dialects – It’s all about the wording.
In Scotland, there are four main dialect groups that each contain multiple sub-dialects. These are Insular, Northern, Central, and Southern. In this article, we will refer to all the Scottish accents generally, rather than a specific accent or dialect, and why they sound so attractive.
What Makes the Scottish Accent Sound Sexy?
You have no doubt heard the Scottish accent in films, television series, and voice-overs, but what is the Scottish accent? Well, the Scottish accent is a combination of the English lexicon and Scots phonology, with Gaelic roots. A fun fact is that the Scottish accent is actually one of the newest accents in the UK, considering that it only developed about three centuries ago.
But why does it sound attractive? Partially, it’s because of the melodic tone in the accent that often makes it sound song-like. This effect can also be attributed to famous celebrities such as Calvin Harris and Gerard Butler. They have helped to expose the accent to more people worldwide, along with the many TV shows and movies with attractive Scottish characters. However, it’s more than that for many people.
Many say that the Scottish accent is full of soul, charm, and personality compared to other accents in the Western world. Some say that the rolling Rs of the accent remind foreigners of the rolling hills of the Highlands. Others say it might be because it sounds gentle and yet aggressive at the same time; a comforting sort of confident dominance. The accent is unapologetic and untamed, and there’s something attractive about its rebellious nature – you’d ne’er associate a Scots accent wi’ a wee moose, wid ye?
What Other Accents are Sexy?
There are many accents worldwide which are considered to be incredibly sexy, and they are deemed attractive for different reasons. The leading contenders are:
- British accent
- Spanish accent
- Italian accent
- French accent
- Irish accent
The level of attraction people have to an accent is primarily determined by their cultural and social association with the country which the accent originates from. For example, France is associated with romance and love, whereas the British accent is associated with intelligence and sophistication.
Keep in mind that the origin of the listener also influences this attraction. For example, a British person is much less likely to find the British accent sexy when compared to someone from the USA. People are more likely to have romantic notions of a land they don’t know rather than one they have experienced the negatives of.
Scotland, and therefore the Scottish accent, is associated with beautiful scenery, lively culture, and vast history. The romanticism of these aspects may be the real reason that the accent is globally considered attractive rather than how it sounds. However, a Scottish voice then still has the power to evoke these emotions.
The Benefits of Using a Scottish Accent in Content
Whether you do or do not find the Scottish accent attractive, it is globally considered one of the sexiest accents in the world. Including the accent in content, therefore, comes with the same positive connotations:
- The Scottish accent has the power to charm and entice international audiences. This is an excellent way to gain the attention of your listeners immediately.
- Promotional and commercial projects are strengthened by the kind of voice that carries trust, which the Scottish accent is known for.
- The Scottish people are also globally considered particularly funny, so the accent works incredibly well for comical material too.
So tell me, why would you choose any other accent?
