Lyse Doucet

In an archived thread someone said that Lyse Doucet was Canadian.
Does anyone have some corroboration of that? I once discussed the lady on a CompuServe forum and got a similar answer, based on accent. I still feel convinced I hear more Irish in her speech.

CNN publishes at least some information on its staff. Pity BBC doesn't seem to do that.

Gwynne

You might find this interesting; http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0%2C3604%2C629167%2C00.html

Here's a biography of Lyse from the BBC World website:

http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_clickpage.asp?pageid=2058

From what I read (I cant remember the source) it said that she was born in a place in Canada. I remember too thinking that she was Irish but when I read she was canadian it made be wonder where Barbara Platt (On BBC World Reporting from Ramallah on the Elections) was from.?? anyone know about her??

Not sure how you hear Irish in Lyse's accent. AIUI she's from Newfoundland in Canada, which has quite a distinctive accent of its own.

I think she sounds Irish too - though I know she's not.

I did. Thanks so much. I've seldom read such an accolade in the serious press. I'll have to revise my ideas about "American English", since her whole manner of speaking seems so British to me. But then, a fascinating article I once saw taught me that not far inland from New York city there's a community that speaks with an almost pure Cornish accent ...

[quote="itsrobert"]Here's a biography of Lyse from the BBC World website: ...

Thanks. Pity there's no way from the main page to find that link and all the countless others there must be.

I'm clearly not the only one. For me, it's a certain articulatory tension, colouring of vowels, lengthening of long vowels and use of the voice that are typical - and I've had fair experience of Irish English.

Good to know I'm not alone. I'd personally love to have recordings of regional accents throughout North America.

[quote="Gwynne Newton"]

Go to bbcworld.com, click on "About BBC World", then select "Presenter Biographies" from the left-hand menu.

Accents from parts of Canada do sound very similar to an Irish accent, i remember sitting in VC airport wondering why there were loads of Irish people around!

IMO- Lyse is not one of the best reporters at the BBC