SHAME: A 50-year-old Sydney man has miraculously maintained his South African accent, despite only living overseas briefly as a baby.
Gavin Michaels moved to Australia from Cape Town when he was only three years old, and he’s been living in Sydney’s east ever since.
Friends say Michaels’ accent appears to become even stronger around other South Africans, during rugby matches, and when discussing Woolworths biltong quality.
“I’m not actually sure why I have this accent still,” says the Dover Heights resident. “It’s just the way I speak. Some things you can’t change.”
But accent experts are questioning how he still carries the accent so strongly.
“If he came to Australia when he was 18 or older, then I’d understand,” says linguistic specialist Ray Maddock.
“Maybe he’s putting it on a bit?”
Those are claims Michaels denies.
“In my circles a lot of people speak with this accent, even if they were born here.”
