I am really amazed by the number of morons posting here about Meryl's "awful Australian accent".
Lindy Chamberlain is a New Zealander, and that is what Streep was playing. She is not using an Australian accent!!!!! She sounds just like the real Lindy. Some people here need to get their facts straight before advertising their ignorance for everyone!
[deleted]
Um... are you talking about two different people or is there some other reason why you keep alternating between "Merryl" and "Merryle"?
shareSome people here need to get their facts straight before advertising their ignorance for everyone!
"Surely, 30 years spent in Oz would be far more of an influence on your accent than the first 20 months of your life in NZ?"
Arnold Schwarzenegger has been in the US since the 1970's and you can still barely understand a damned word he says.
"Arnold Schwarzenegger has been in the US since the 1970's and you can still barely understand a damned word he says."
But he didn't arrive in the US as a baby (or to quote Streep's accent - boiby). Given what I have heard him say about women in general and politically, it's probably better that you can't!
In general the way a baby, a small child learns to speak is most influenced by their parents, so I find it very plausible, that Lindy grew up internalizing the NZ accent from her parents even though they were living in Australia. Her NZ accent might have worn off later depending on how much time Lindy spent outside her family with other Australian people.
But I've never heard the real Lindy speak, so I can't say if Meryl's accent was accurate or not.
If Lindy only spent time with her parents and NZ people that would make sense. I know many people that were born in other countries but were raised here and who sound like 100% Australians.
"But I've never heard the real Lindy speak, so I can't say if Meryl's accent was accurate or not."
I think Meryl's accent was TOO much of a caricature of Lindy's. But what do I know. I've heard Lindy's accent. I've heard Meryl's. I'm an Australian.
If you heard Lindy's accent now, you would know that she sounds like an American because that is where she lives. Funny how that accent took.
I'm in complete agreement with you as I'm sick of hearing from a lot of Australians including Australian actors about Streep's "awful Australian accent". Streep did an excellent job since she had her work cut out for her. Not only did she have to master the Australian accent but since Lindy Chamberlain was born in NZ, she also grew up in Victoria which completely muddles her accent because they have a particular accent too so it's very unique and then she has that often annoying nasal Australian accent as well, all of which Streep nailed. There are probably a lot of Australian actresses who would not have been able to nail it as specifically as Meryl Streep did.
share[deleted]
Meryl's accent is far too strong.
shareWho gives a *beep* if her accent wasnt perfect
shareShe is not using an Australian accent!!!!! She sounds just like the real Lindy.
You're right, Michael, Meryl does sound very much like the real Lindy.
Anyone interested in hearing Lindy's story, here is a link with an audio interview she gave back in 10/2007.
http://www.nma.gov.au/audio/eternity_series/lindy_chamberlain/
What, just for once in your life can't you be serious?
The real Lindy sounds like an Aussie - then and now, and Meryl Streep did a brilliant Aussie accent. She sounded like a good upper working class lass, which is what lindy was.
share