Accents

[Goodsoulette]

My Gran who I havent seen for a couple of years, as she lives abroad has just informed me that my accent has got much stronger and she suspects thats to do with the man I live with. That's probably true, as his accent was always much stronger than mine. she's looking at it as a bad thing and thinks it's just as well "i'm going to be a nurse" as otherwise my west country accent would hold me back in life.

So would you assume that I was a bit thick because I have an accent? Or specifically because it's west country? or do you immediately look down on someone for having any kind of regional accent?

[andy-hughes]

I never look down on anyone for an accent - our local one does make the speaker sond somewhat lacking in intelligence, but of course, that is never an indication.

Sadly, perceptions of accents can lead to people assuming lower intellect - especially for Brummies and West Midlanders, and for West Country people as well.

On the subject, I find some accents really sexy - Cheryl Cole's Geordie accent is wonderful - as is any Welsh accent - except Sian Lloyd. Not at all keen on Estury accents - or the Stoke accent, although I am surrounded by it. I don't have it myself, no idea why not.

[Bobbisox]

I get some 'stick' over mine and yet I have not got a strong Geordie accent, I have been called a thick Geordie on here,
does it bother me?
not at all,
we should be proud of our accents Goods and those who would look down on you because of it, are ignorant imo.

[andy-hughes]

I think your Gran is being really rude - I wold never equate a career as a nurse with being 'held back' in life. Some old people don't know when to keep their opinions to themselves!

[Ankou]

i don;t look down on people with broad accents, well, except scouse geordie and that new woman on the one show. and yes, i do believe that string accents can (or at least used to) affect your career and path in life.

i wish it were not so, but people are judged on 1. looks 2. sound and 3. actions. usually in that order.

[Bobbisox]

why look down on a scouse/Geordie accent Ankou?

[Ankou]

they make my ears cry. and some of those nasally northern irish ones as well.

[Bobbisox]

where are you from?

[Ankou]

i'm from here. are you from there ?

[Bobbisox]

ha!
no answer then..lol
just curious as why someone would look down their nose at my accent;-0)

[Jemisa]

Yeah, thats a point Goo, People DO judge people by their accent,Yes a West Country accent and may I say a Cockney accent are looked down on because these people are considered 'Thick' although I don't know what accent is classed as Intellegent 'Oxford' perhaps.
Coming from the E End I know lots of people with the Cockney accent who are very intellegent,
I think this tradition of judging people by their accents has been going on for a very long time and won't stop for a very long time, especially while commedians take the pee too.

jem

[andy-hughes]

I wouldn't bobbi - you can talk down the phone to me all day with that accent!

[Ankou]

bobbi, i wouldn't look down my nose.
more likely to look under my shoe.

!! :o]

[Bobbisox]

awww Bless you Andy..lol

[Goodsoulette]

I've always liked you Andy, and ankou, I think you have the order spot on in how you are judged. Fortunately my looks carry me through the accent and actions lol She is very rude and makes a hobby out of trying to get under my skin and does it so well.

I don't dislike the Geordie accent, my nice nan was from Durham and that sounded pretty much the same to me. I can't understand what they say half the time though, you talk so fast.

[McMouse]

Oo ar

[Bobbisox]

thank you for that Ankou!

[milly143]

I used to think the brummie accent made people sound dumb, but realised it was just the tone of voice some people have that make them sound a bit dumb. I have met some Londoners who sound like they might struggle to say their own name.

[craft1948]

I used to go to TT tournaments with a bunch of geordies..........I could only understand them when I was drunk......

[Ankou]

sadly my looks and sounds fail me often.

[Bobbisox]

ha-ha
I will sit back and watch the Geordie Bashers have some fun..lol