Why Cowboys in Western Movies Speak American, Not British Accents

One of the most enduring elements of Western movies and television is the portrayal of cowboys with American accents. This depiction, while entertaining, may not always align with historical fact. This article explores why cowboys in these narratives typically speak with American accents, despite the historical background of their being "new" settlers from Britain and Europe.

Westerns and Historical Fiction

Westerns, whether in print, film, or television, are not documentaries. These stories depict a mythical Wild West that serves to tell contemporary stories set in a nostalgic past. However, the cowboys in these narratives are not recent arrivals from Europe. They are, in fact, Americans who often fought in the Civil War, making them familiar with guns and violence. The accents used in these Westerns reflect the American landscape of the late 19th century, not the British or European origins of their ancestors.

The Origin and Background of Cowboys

Cowboys in Westerns are not immigrants but Americans born in the United States. Their backgrounds are often the result of multiple generations living in the country. For instance, consider the legendary figure of James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok. He was born in Illinois in 1837 with parents born in Vermont, and both of his great-grandparents were also American-born. It makes little sense for a fourth-generation American to have a European accent, given his deep roots in the country.

The Settling of America

The United States was first settled in the 1600s. By the time most Western movies and television shows are set (1865-1900), the country had been an independent nation for approximately a century. Consequently, many, if not all, of the people who settled and built the western territories would have been fully developed American English speakers. Interviews with Civil War veterans and a woman from San Francisco who took the Oregon Trail west during the California Gold Rush era provide further evidence of American accents in the late 19th century.

Accents in Westerns vs. Historical Fact

The portrayal of cowboys with British accents in Westerns often appears anachronistic and historically inaccurate. This practice serves more to create a certain atmosphere or character than to adhere to historical truth. For instance, British-born characters may appear in Westerns, but they are more commonly portrayed in roles such as miners, bartenders, or other professions, not as cowboys. Even when British characters do appear as cowboys, they are usually presented as outsiders or visitors rather than long-term settlers.

The extensive time passed since the initial European settlement means that American accents would be much more common among cowboys in the Wild West. It would be much stranger for them to sound European than to sound American. This is further supported by the fact that many cowboys, especially those of note, had longer family histories in America than one might assume.

Conclusion

While the portrayal of cowboys with American accents in Western movies and television is a stylistic choice rather than a strict adherence to historical fact, it reflects the cultural and linguistic reality of the late 19th-century American West. Understanding this can help viewers appreciate the context and historical accuracy of these narratives, even as they enjoy the fictional elements that make these Westerns so compelling.