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Has your child adopted a ‘Fortnite accent’? Please email shivali.best@mailonline.co.uk
Boasting more than 650 million registered participants,
Fortnite
undoubtedly ranks among the most beloved video games globally.
Experts now caution that certain children are investing so much time in playing the game that they are acquiring what is referred to as ‘Fortnite accents.’
The distinctive Fortnite accent tends to be both high-pitched and quick-paced, as noted by the specialists at Preply.
It frequently includes an rising intonation at the conclusion of each phrase, giving the impression that every statement is phrased like a query.
‘Because of the game’s young player base, it mimics the sound of an overly excited or frustrated child’s voice,’ Preply explained.
If your child has picked up an accent, experts suggest this might mean they aren’t getting sufficient opportunities for face-to-face interactions.
“Although gaming can be enjoyable and potentially advantageous when done in moderation, it’s crucial for kids to have face-to-face interactions with other people,” Preply noted.
These practical life links aid in bolstering both their linguistic skills and their social as well as emotional progression.
Fortnite was developed by Epic Games in 2017, encompassing several successful titles including Fortnite: Save the World, and Fortnite Battle Royale.
Boasting a PEGI rating of 12+ (indicating parental supervision is advised), this game has become immensely favored by kids, many of whom are adopting its distinctive accent.
Preply noted that the accent intensifies due to the game’s intense, often disorderly character, particularly moments when players fall.
If you bite the dust in Fortnite, you must begin anew, forfeiting all the goodies and advantages you’ve accumulated.
That may result in a great deal of shrill yelling, frantic discussions, and overblown displays of irritation.
The notion that a game could be so influential that it alters your child’s accent may seem rather unsettling.
Nonetheless, Preply asserts that this is indeed a completely natural occurrence, known as ‘linguistic exchange.’
‘This unconscious method of adjusting our speech helps us blend in, fostering a greater sense of connection and acceptance within the group,’ the specialists explained.
It fosters a feeling of inclusion and common identity via language.
‘Children and teens are especially prone to this.
‘Did you ever watch American TV shows as a kid and suddenly find yourself using American phrases or accents? That’s linguistic conversion in action.’
Thankfully, the Fortnite accent isn’t permanent – especially not in children and teens, whose speech habits are still developing.
“Children’s and teenagers’ interests and pastimes continually change, and it’s likely that as they mature, they will end up in various social environments rather than just online gaming lobbies,” Preply noted.
Once they begin to play the game less often and start interacting with various individuals and social circles, they typically return to their initial mode of speech or adopt an altogether different style.
Many alterations occurring via social imitation aren’t fixed from birth, and typically, these adjustments will fade away over time.
The announcement follows soon after worried parents in the U.S. reported that their kids had begun speaking with British accents after
binge-watching Peppa Pig.
The Twitter user @Supersly20 posted: “My 4-year-old daughter adores watching Peppa Pig, and I’ve observed that her accent and grammar are exceptional.”
Last night when I put her to bed, she looked up at me and asked, ‘Dad, will you snuggle with me?’ I responded, ‘What did you just ask, sweetheart?’ He mentioned that he couldn’t recall the last time someone had used that term.
In a similar vein, user @_fragilebxnes commented: “Ever since my kid began watching Peppa Pig, she hasn’t stopped speaking with an accent ?????????”
‘I want to express my gratitude to Peppa Pig for the subtle but charming British accent my little one is picking up. #mom #mummy,’ commented user @jenrofe.
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