Everybody has an accent. Usually, it’s a marker for the place somebody grew up, or in some superstar instances, a bored wealthy individual attempting on a brand new persona. However do you know Fortnite gamers have their very own accent, too?
The so-called “Fortnite accent” refers to how gamers communicate whereas enjoying Epic Video games’ massively common on-line battle royale. After watching a strong 20 minutes of YouTube shorts and TikToks about it, I’ve decided it’s a selected type of cheery, high-pitched tone that sounds so much just like the stereotype of a teen woman uptalking, or ending even declarative statements in a means that feels like a query. Or, as one Reddit consumer asking how one can shed the accent put it, “I communicate like a 8 yr previous.” Sadly, their plea for assist solely acquired one response: “what in gods identify is a fortnite accent.”
For years, throughout YouTube and TikTok, gamers have recorded themselves enjoying whereas talking in the accent, or attempting not to do it. (Headphone warning: there’s a variety of screaming in these clips.)
Adam Aleksic, a linguist and writer who goes by Etymology Nerd on-line, bravely spent three hours of his one wild and valuable life listening to movies of the so-called Fortnite accent. He describes the development as “quick speech and sharply rising intonations, virtually like they’ve to speak a sense of pleasure or shock they only skilled.” He goes on to clarify that the accent is useful: it conveys reactions to what’s taking place within the sport however it’s additionally executed for “social efficiency.” It’s a part of a better “Ludolect,” he says, which is a dialogue particular to a sport.
Communities usually create their personal languages, whether or not it’s slang they use or the particular means through which they speak to one another; even {couples} develop their very own codes. It is sensible that video video games, which introduce new worlds and guidelines to abide by, observe the identical sample.
Whereas I don’t assume the Fortnite accent is something to be ashamed of, per se, if you wish to shake it, deal with it like every other kind of code switching. Deal with the way you pronounce phrases, hearken to how audio system you wish to sound like speak, and follow, follow, follow. If it labored for my associates who managed to ditch their Boston accents, absolutely it could possibly be just right for you—a minimum of till you’re a pair drinks deep.