[dghf]

This is true, but you could also say the same about the phrases "English accent" and "Scottish accent" -- a Scouse accent sounds nothing like RP, and a Highland lilt is very different from the accent in the Gorbals.

And the Appalachian accents of Justified sound very different to the Mid-Atlantic accent of Frasier Crane -- yet to me, as an outsider, there is still an indefinable "Americanness" common to them all.

[bossyTeacher]

> there is still an indefinable "Americanness" common to them all

I believe it is more of self fulfilling prophecy imo. Some quality you treat as American AFTER you learn it is an american accent rather than something you see as american before (or regardless of whether) you even know if it is american

[dghf]

Maybe? But I heard an Orkney accent once, and my mind refused to classify it as Scottish, even though it was coming from a Scottish mouth.