The Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls has become a global sensation, pulling in viewers from all over the world. However, a new survey has found that the Derry accent is causing issues.
The authentic Derry accent in the hit sitcom is part of the charm of Derry Girls. However, a brand new survey has revealed that the Derry Girls accent is too difficult to understand for US viewers.
The survey, conducted by language learning app Preply, looked into how US TV audiences use subtitles.
The results revealed surprising trends about which shows viewers in the States find hard to understand, with plenty of Irish actors featuring on the list.
The hardest to understand accents ‒ which shows do US audiences struggle with?
The Derry Girls accent was deemed too difficult to understand for US viewers, ranking in second place behind Birmingham-based historical crime drama Peaky Blinders.
Meanwhile, British actor Tom Hardy came out on top as the individual with the hardest-to-understand accent.
Other actors mentioned on the list include Northern Ireland’s Liam Neeson. Sofia Vergara, Jackie Chan, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt were also listed.
Derry Girls accent too difficult to understand for US viewers ‒ part of the charm
Set in the city of Derry in the 1990s, the comedy series leans heavily on the city’s culture and accents.
Featuring actors who were born and raised in the city, the authentic accent on the show, for many, adds to the charm.
However, the new survey by Preply has revealed that this effort for authenticity has made Derry Girls one of the hardest-to-understand shows among US audiences.
Still, despite the need for subtitles, the series has proven a hit across the Atlantic. Currently, US fans are patiently awaiting the arrival of season three on Netflix.
The most difficult accents to understand ‒ plenty of UK and Irish shows on the list
Several other shows from the UK and Ireland ranked alongside Derry Girls regarding difficult-to-understand accents among US viewers.
Peaky Blinders, which stars Irish actor Cillian Murphy, claimed the top spot. Downton Abbey and Bridgerton were also noted for their hard-to-understand accents.
Other British shows that were mentioned include Love Island, Skins, and The Crown.
Based on these results, it is unsurprising that respondents revealed that they found Scottish accents, British accents, and Irish accents to be some of the most difficult to understand.
The survey also revealed that subtitle use is up among audiences in general. It found that 50% of American viewers use subtitles all the time, with the highest percentage among Gen Z and Millenials.
