"The" and "a" difference
Hello,
I have a problem with understanding an answer to my comment about English accents.
One guy wrote: It is not the Scottish accent. This is Glaswegian urban accent. I understand it but totally different from mine in the north east.
To which I answered: And which country is Glasgow in?
The guy retorted: The difference I make is between 'the' and 'a'!
WHAT DID HE MEAN???
Top answer
I suppose he is saying that " the Scottish accent" implies that there is only one Scottish accent, spoken throughout Scotland. In fact, accents across Scotland vary (though they share enough characteristics that they may all be recognised as "Scottish"). I don't know in exactly what context you used the phrase, but note in any case that we do not normally say someone "has the X accent" even when there is only one type.
- I suppose he is saying that " the Scottish accent" implies that there is only one Scottish accent, spoken throughout Scotland.
- In fact, accents across Scotland vary (though they share enough characteristics that they may all be recognised as "Scottish").
- I don't know in exactly what context you used the phrase, but note in any case that we do not normally say someone "has the X accent" even when there is only one type.
- We say that someone "has a X accent".
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I suppose he is saying that "the Scottish accent" implies that there is only one Scottish accent, spoken throughout Scotland. In fact, accents across Scotland vary (though they share enough characteristics that they may all be recognised as "Scottish").
I don't know in exactly what context you used the phrase, but note in any case that we do not normally say someone "has the X acc
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