In the wonderful musical My Fair Lady, Henry Higgins insists that the difference between a duchess and a flower girl lies in the way they speak. That's sometimes true of political winners and losers.
British comedian Peter Sarafinowicz dubbed over some Trump interviews using a posh English accent. He's used other accents for Trump as well. Here is Upper-class Trump talking to Barbara Walters about Islam and another voice-over with Trump talking about Hillary Clinton.
Do you think Trump would do better or worse if he used the voice Sarafinowicz gives him in these videos?
If Donald Trump used the kind of upper-class British accent that Peter Serafinowicz gives him in those voice-overs, he would probably sound more formal and polished, but it wouldn’t necessarily help him politically.
ReplyDeleteDonald Trump’s real speaking style is very direct, simple, and emotional, which has been a big part of how he connects with his supporters. A lot of his appeal comes from sounding like an “outsider” who speaks in a straightforward way. If he suddenly spoke in a very refined, upper-class accent, it might make him seem less natural or less like himself.
Peter Serafinowicz’s version of Trump sounds more educated and aristocratic, which could impress some people or make him sound more traditional. However, for many voters, it might also seem fake or like Donald Trump is putting on an act, which could weaken his authenticity.
So overall, while the accent might make Donald Trump sound more sophisticated, it would probably hurt him more than help him because voters tend to respond strongly to whether a candidate feels genuine and consistent.