Historian Angus Konstam has explained how the stereotypical pirate accent originated from Disney’s 74-year-old classic adventure film,Treasure Island, and why the accent sounds the way it does. Pirates across most forms of media, from thePirates of the Caribbeanmoviesto video games likeSea of Thieves, often have particular accents now ingrained into their mythology. This includes using phrases like “Aye!” and “Argh!” alongside replacing words like “You” with “Ye” and other phonetic differences. However, the origins of the accent can’t be traced back through pirate history, but instead through the films in which they’re adventures were dramatized.
Speaking withWIREDabout the subject,Konstam revealed the origins of the typical pirate accent as being from Disney’s 1950 movieTreasure Island,starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver. In the film, Newton emphasized his Somerset accent while portraying the pirate captain, leading to the typical accent of a pirate that has since been mythologized. The historical reflects on how the actor had no idea he was establishing a trope in pirate media, especially since the diverse locations of where pirates came from in history meant not all would have the same accent. Check out what Konstam said below:
It was invented by the actor Robert Newton when he did the Walt Disney film “Treasure Island” back in 1950. He used his native Somerset accent and embellished it a bit, and that created the sound of the pirate, essentially.
It’s a great accent, but it’s just one actor’s view of what a pirate would sound like. Pirates would’ve come from just about any port in Britain or Europe, or even Colonial America. When Robert Newton chose that accent, he’d no idea, 60, 70, 80 years later, people are using it as the established pirate accent.
It shows you the power or the impact of that film at the time and how it captured people’s imaginations.
What Konstam’s Explanation Says About The Pirate Accent In Media
It Became Classic Because Newton Was The First To Do It
Konstam’s explanation revealsthe pirate voice is really just an exemplified version of a particular West Country English accent,its real-world roots making much more sense. Newton was an English actor, likely making the role easy for him because he was simply emphasizing his own voice. However, the historian is right in how unpredictable it would be for some of thebest pirate moviesmade decades later to continue utilizing the actors' accent.
How Black Sails Connects to Treasure Island
Black Sails lays the groundwork and fills in several gaps in character story leading up to the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel, Treasure Island.
Because he was the first actor to truly offer a unique spin on the pirate accent, Newton carved out his place in history,his interpretation becoming a key part of most pirate media made afterTreasure Island. This includes the2014 seriesBlack Sails, which serves as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel, and includes some elements of piracy established in the 1950 movie. Because of how ingrained his accent has become in pirate media, it’s difficult to imagine what much of it would look like today without such a classic element.
Our Take On The Origins Of Pirate Accents In Treasure Island
The Trope’s Commonality Pays Homage To Newton
The consistent commonality of Newton’s pirate accent across various forms of media in the genre indicates subtle homage to these beginnings. While not every piece of pirate media might pull directly fromTreasure Island, the ingrained use of the accent emphasizes its origins, and the importance its lead actor played in the mythology of piracy. His accent will likely continue to be an important part of the genre for more decades to come, as pirate stories continue to be told.
Treasure Islandalso served as inspiration for Disney’s 2002 animated movieTreasure Planet.
Treasure Island
Cast
Treasure Island, a classic adventure film released in 1950, is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel. The story follows young Jim Hawkins who, after discovering a treasure map, sets sail for Treasure Island with a crew that includes the cunning and charismatic pirate Long John Silver. As they search for the buried treasure, loyalty and treachery collide in a tale that defines the pirate genre for generations.
