What accent do you hear when reading WoT?

[Vodan Anuvos]

I have been listening the the audiobook version lately, and the readers on those try to create an accent that is a little different for each character. I don't know if I agree with all their choices though. These are my guesses.

I don't know if it is Illianers in general or just Bayle Domon, but that is a Pirate accent if I ever saw one.
Based on the names in the borderlands (especially in Shienar) I imagine the borderlands as being Japanese.
I feel like the Seanchan speak American English, because it would sound like a "slurred version" of the same language (assuming that the mainlanders primarily speak in British dialects). Tear would be more of a cockney dialect, where Andor and Cairhien would be more of a Downton Abbey dialect.

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

I have been listening the the audiobook version lately, and the readers on those try to create an accent that is a little different for each character. I don't know if I agree with all their choices though. These are my guesses.

I don't know if it is Illianers in general or just Bayle Domon, but that is a Pirate accent if I ever saw one.
Based on the names in the borderlands (especially in Shienar) I imagine the borderlands as being Japanese.
I feel like the Seanchan speak American English, because it would sound like a "slurred version" of the same language (assuming that the mainlanders primarily speak in British dialects). Tear would be more of a cockney dialect, where Andor and Cairhien would be more of a Downton Abbey dialect.

True dat!!!! I like this assessment!

Although while I DONT necessarily disagree with Shinearans being ASIAN ( maybe NOT Japanese though?)
I DO think of the Seanchan as being VERY Japanese in the way that their society is run?? Am I the only one that thinks this? Am I trippin??

 

[Ealandrelle Melyma]

You're not tripping. But I think that RJ deliberately mixes and matches cultures, looks and language. For all that the Seanchan seems strongly feudal Japanese, the way their language and looks are described are far from the same.

 

[Aran Cherubim]

You're not tripping. But I think that RJ deliberately mixes and matches cultures, looks and language. For all that the Seanchan seems strongly feudal Japanese, the way their language and looks are described are far from the same.

Are they really that much influenced by Feudal Japan beyond armour aesthetiques?

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

Are they really that much influenced by Feudal Japan beyond armour aesthetiques?

I sort of that so, what with their Class systems and talk of honor. Like if u are one of the blood that has lost everything u should take ur own life? Idk..Bits and pieces..?

 

[Raeviendha al'Toma]

I don't know if it is Illianers in general or just Bayle Domon, but that is a Pirate accent if I ever saw one.
Based on the names in the borderlands (especially in Shienar) I imagine the borderlands as being Japanese.
I feel like the Seanchan speak American English, because it would sound like a "slurred version" of the same language (assuming that the mainlanders primarily speak in British dialects). Tear would be more of a cockney dialect, where Andor and Cairhien would be more of a Downton Abbey dialect.

I agree with most of this except for borderlands being Japanese... I see them more as Viking or Norse. I agree with the above statements that say the Seanchan are remisicent of Japanese in their culture in certain things.

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

hmmm.. I never considered borderlands being Norse! Interesting take!!! :P

 

[Vodan Anuvos]

I don't know what accent they would speak, but I noticed today that it was mentioned in TSR that they use chopsticks to eat in Arad Doman. Each land appears to have a combination of different aspects from different cultures that exist in our world/time.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if there is a difference in accent between the high and low born, especially in places like Tear where that difference is emphasized... hmmmm...

 

[Mattrim al'Korin]

Seanchan: "Y'all bow down to th'Empress now, y'hear?"

LOVE IT !!

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

Whoa!! Whoa!!! The Seanchan CANT be American! I mean they are sort of Evil..so...er.... I mean Americans aren't evil....er.....

 

[Aran Cherubim]

I agree with most of this except for borderlands being Japanese... I see them more as Viking or Norse. I agree with the above statements that say the Seanchan are remisicent of Japanese in their culture in certain things.

The borderlanders have essentially nothing Norse-inspired in them.

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

The borderlanders have essentially nothing Norse-inspired in them.

How would YOU kno....OH..I GUESS u MIGHT know.... LOLOLOLOLOL

 

[Neria Hawke]

Seanchan: "Y'all bow down to th'Empress now, y'hear?"

:rofl I've heard of the idea of the Seanchan having Texan accents as well. Now it'll REALLY make me laugh everytime they show up! I'd also agree that the Illianers are very piratey. I'd actually think that the Shienarans have a bit of Indian mixed in with their culture and um, fashion sense. That's something that's really great about Jordan that you don't often get with other writers. Most writers, be they novelists or tv or film writers, tend to just portray a stereotype of a culture.

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

That is very true. Jordan really mixed and matched and then I think sprinkled in a bit of his own flavor to top it all off! I Do miss not having Vikings SOMEWHERE though! LOL

 

[Aran Cherubim]

That is very true. Jordan really mixed and matched and then I think sprinkled in a bit of his own flavor to top it all off! I Do miss not having Vikings SOMEWHERE though! LOL

While I tend to love anything Viking-ey, I don't think they would've fitted the time period. WoT isn't so much based on early middle ages (500-1000) as they are based on either late middle ages (ca. 1300-1500) or even the early modern era (ca. 1500-1800), judging from how armour and architecture are described. Of course, due to Randland's very different historical narrative, we have technology, social and political practices from different periods joined together, but this is my impression.

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

Yeah. Vikings wouldnt have fit well... And thats too bad!!
I will just have to re read my other favorite series.. The Saxon Tales by Bernard Cornwell.

 

[Falone Charpontier]

British (Moiraine), Irish (some random characters more cockney than Queen's English), Jamaican (Doyle), and Japanese for Seanchan. I'm probably wrong... but there is a nice buffet variety! Emmond's Fielders, for some reason, American.

 

[Brandegoris Al'Mor]

Emonds Fielders AMERICAN! I LIKE it!