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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 12:31:30 PM

Title: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 12:31:30 PM
Not sure that asking what words you use necessarily tells you an accent, which is, I think, easier for change to happen to than vocabulary



http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180205-which-british-accent-is-closest-to-your-own
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Walter on March 02, 2018, 01:03:09 PM
Not sure that asking what words you use necessarily tells you an accent, which is, I think, easier for change to happen to than vocabulary



http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180205-which-british-accent-is-closest-to-your-own
Saney , an amusing few minutes there taking the test , had me down as from Middlesbrough, I'm a Yorkshireman where the accent can change within 3 miles , some of which grate on my nerves ,such as the Leeds and Bradford accents .
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 01:08:07 PM
Saney , an amusing few minutes there taking the test , had me down as from Middlesbrough, I'm a Yorkshireman where the accent can change within 3 miles , some of which grate on my nerves ,such as the Leeds and Bradford accents .


If I answer effectively the same but change saying skelf to splinter (both of which I use) it moves me from Glasgow to Yorkshire.


It used to be in and around Glasgow you could tell if someone was Catholic or Protestant based on some pronunciations e.g. stair/bear
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Anchorman on March 02, 2018, 01:17:10 PM
british? Awa an tak a tummle tae yersel!
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ad_orientem on March 02, 2018, 01:20:45 PM
I did the test. Pronouncing "th" as "f" sealed the result for me. My mum 'ates it.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 01:33:02 PM
british? Awa an tak a tummle tae yersel!
Given that we live on Great Britain, I don't see that as being about how you think govt should function.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Walter on March 02, 2018, 01:37:30 PM
I did the test. Pronouncing "th" as "f" sealed the result for me. My mum 'ates it.
that is a real pet hate of mine .''EastEnders'' is impossible to watch for me . (amongst many other reasons)
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Walter on March 02, 2018, 01:40:56 PM

If I answer effectively the same but change saying skelf to splinter (both of which I use) it moves me from Glasgow to Yorkshire.


It used to be in and around Glasgow you could tell if someone was Catholic or Protestant based on some pronunciations e.g. stair/bear
btw, I find it easier to understand a Dutch person speaking English than an Glaswegian
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 01:44:40 PM
btw, I find it easier to understand a Dutch person speaking English than an Glaswegian
There isn't one Glaswegian accent. But yes, I would agree that sometimes it is difficult. I would find the dutch accented English easier than many native accents.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Bramble on March 02, 2018, 01:46:32 PM
I'm apparently from west London (Hugh Grant accent!) - although I've never lived anywhere near it.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ad_orientem on March 02, 2018, 01:48:36 PM
I'm apparently from west London (Hugh Grant accent!) - although I've never lived anywhere near it.

What the hell is West London about Hugh Grant's accent? I mean he sounds like a toff.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 01:55:05 PM
What the hell is West London about Hugh Grant's accent? I mesn he sounds like a toff.
Yes, this is an interesting thing about this, there seems to be an element of class here which is then taken to bed typical of an area. The person that is supposed to embody the Glasgow accent is James McAvoy who while from a working class background has a fairly middle class accent in Glasgow terms now.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Walter on March 02, 2018, 01:56:59 PM
There isn't one Glaswegian accent. But yes, I would agree that sometimes it is difficult. I would find the dutch accented English easier than many native accents.
I quite agree.
I spent a couple of months in Ballachulish on a hotel convertion job some time ago and there was a chippy from Glasgow and a fella from Holland amongst others ,and when we were all in the bar in the evenings each of our accents was a source of amusment on many ocasions . For me the Dutch bloke was far the easiest to understand .
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Steve H on March 02, 2018, 02:00:16 PM
I sound as though I'm from West fackin Landan? You 'avin' a fackin' larf, you muppets? I'm from Stockport! (though I've lived in Hertfordshire since 1975, which may have polluted my Lancashire accent).
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Bramble on March 02, 2018, 02:00:39 PM
I believe Hugh Grant lives in a £10 million house in Notting Hill. Maybe I need to polish up my accent a bit more.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Enki on March 02, 2018, 02:06:34 PM
Took the test. it had me down, Like Walter, from Middlesbrough. I aren't, I have a Hull accent. :)
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: jeremyp on March 02, 2018, 02:09:53 PM
I don't have an accent. Everybody else does.

Anyway, the test puts me in West London which is not far off.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on March 02, 2018, 02:15:31 PM
West London too even though Essex born & bred. Promotion or demotion?
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: jeremyp on March 02, 2018, 02:20:42 PM
West London too even though Essex born & bred. Promotion or demotion?
How could being grouped with Kate Winslet be viewed as demotion?

OTOH: Hugh Grant probably cancels her out.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on March 02, 2018, 03:19:34 PM
Jeremy,

Quote
How could being grouped with Kate Winslet be viewed as demotion?

I'll see your Kate Winslet and will raise you a Charlotte Rampling.

Quote
OTOH: Hugh Grant probably cancels her out.

Yeah but then I'd have to off-set the blessed Charlotte with Olly Murs so, you know...

Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ad_orientem on March 02, 2018, 03:44:25 PM
London accent pretty much depends on class and age, I suppose. If you're working class and over forty, east, west, and south London accents are virtually the same. My old man was from West London but I didn't notice any difference from anyone from East London. Same with my cousins who grew up in enemy territory (south London).
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Robbie on March 02, 2018, 04:48:26 PM
No!  South London accent is quite different to other parts and in all honesty, not a particularly attractive accent. Think (for 'Strictly' fans) James Jordan who is from Chatham. There are some in SE London whose parents/grandparents originated in East End or Bermondsey areas and they retain traces of that type of speech, occasionally difficult to understand, but they are different to the general S/SE London. SW London is different altogether!

The test said I come from West London, which I don't (youngest daughter and niece live there, not noticed anything special from them).

When as child and younger person I suppose I spoke RP but now I have a bit of S London in my accent just from mixing with people at work, of which I am glad!

Quite honestly I don't give a fig; if someone speaks in a way that can be understood, that's all that matters.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: wigginhall on March 02, 2018, 04:57:03 PM
We were always told, when I lived in Fulham, that a real hard core Fulham accent was quite different from E. London.  I have never tested this, but I can vouch for the fact that the Fulham one is amazing - I hear builders using it, and I think they are putting it on.   Maybe, maybe not.  Now your Putney accent, quite different, of course.

I also find myself echoing their accent, bit embarrassing really, but I think I do it, wherever I am.     
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Robbie on March 02, 2018, 04:58:57 PM
We were always told, when I lived in Fulham, that a real hard core Fulham accent was quite different from E. London.  I have never tested this, but I can vouch for the fact that the Fulham one is amazing - I hear builders using it, and I think they are putting it on.   Maybe, maybe not.  Now your Putney accent, quite different, of course.

I also find myself echoing their accent, bit embarrassing really, but I think I do it, wherever I am.   

Good for you! Always be true to yourself.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: wigginhall on March 02, 2018, 05:01:50 PM
Good for you! Always be true to yourself.

No, it's the opposite.  I am a chameleon, and always adopt the accent nearest me.   Now I have a strangled Manchester/Fulham/Norfolk mongrel accent. 
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on March 02, 2018, 05:15:30 PM
Wiggs,

Quote
No, it's the opposite.  I am a chameleon, and always adopt the accent nearest me.   Now I have a strangled Manchester/Fulham/Norfolk mongrel accent.

Cheer up - you're in good company. Here's Steve McClaren suddenly becoming Dutch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZnoP4sUV90

Coda - sorry, link might not work because I'm using the proxy thingy just now  :(
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Maeght on March 02, 2018, 05:15:54 PM
Said I was from Sunderland but I'm from the South West!
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ad_orientem on March 02, 2018, 05:16:57 PM
No!  South London accent is quite different to other parts and in all honesty, not a particularly attractive accent. Think (for 'Strictly' fans) James Jordan who is from Chatham. There are some in SE London whose parents/grandparents originated in East End or Bermondsey areas and they retain traces of that type of speech, occasionally difficult to understand, but they are different to the general S/SE London. SW London is different altogether!

The test said I come from West London, which I don't (youngest daughter and niece live there, not noticed anything special from them).

When as child and younger person I suppose I spoke RP but now I have a bit of S London in my accent just from mixing with people at work, of which I am glad!

Quite honestly I don't give a fig; if someone speaks in a way that can be understood, that's all that matters.

My cousins lived in Lewisham and their parents were from west London same as my dad. Mind you, I havent seen them for nearly thirty years so I could be wrong. One thing that always bothered be (something unrelated to accents) is why my cousins were Chelsea fans. Coming from Lewishan you'd think they'd be Milwall fans.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Gordon on March 02, 2018, 05:31:03 PM
Did the test: said I was from Glasgow, which is correct.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on March 02, 2018, 05:41:23 PM
No, it's the opposite.  I am a chameleon, and always adopt the accent nearest me.   Now I have a strangled Manchester/Fulham/Norfolk mongrel accent.
You lived on the Isle of Dogs?
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Aruntraveller on March 02, 2018, 06:39:56 PM
Apparently I sound as if I am from West London and talk like Kate Winslet or Hugh's Laurie & Grant.

This is crap. I sound like Peggy from Hi di hi.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Rhiannon on March 02, 2018, 06:50:11 PM
Apparently I sound as if I am from West London and talk like Kate Winslet or Hugh's Laurie & Grant.

This is crap. I sound like Peggy from Hi di hi.

I had the same thing, although my accent is more Pat Butcher. But my mum went to grammar school and taught me to speak like her before I picked up the accent of my peers which may account for the test being skewed - some things I don’t pronounce in the typical east end/estuary way and that’s got more noticeable since moving out. Now I live with three very well spoken kids who take the mick out of the fact that within five minutes of talking to my old east end mates I sound like I’m about the throw everyone out of the Queen Vic.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ad_orientem on March 02, 2018, 06:58:12 PM
I find my accent changes uf I speak englush to a non-native english speaker, which though work I have to do alot.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 07:13:01 PM
I find my accent changes uf I speak englush to a non-native english speaker, which though work I have to do alot.
I have telephone voice but that's not just about non native speakers, it's covering a general approach to having to talk to people with different accents.


On occasion, though in such circumstances I will play up and exaggerate the accent in a different way, and choose to sound like Iain Cuthbertson playing Charles Endell Esq.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Walter on March 02, 2018, 07:13:21 PM
I had the same thing, although my accent is more Pat Butcher. But my mum went to grammar school and taught me to speak like her before I picked up the accent of my peers which may account for the test being skewed - some things I don’t pronounce in the typical east end/estuary way and that’s got more noticeable since moving out. Now I live with three very well spoken kids who take the mick out of the fact that within five minutes of talking to my old east end mates I sound like I’m about the throw everyone out of the Queen Vic.
love the little story Rhi, totally blown my mental image of you now . I thought you were a posh bird from Buckinghamshire   ;D
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Robbie on March 02, 2018, 10:16:40 PM
Accents can only really be identified by the way vowels are pronounced, that test cannot give an accurate assessment.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Harrowby Hall on March 02, 2018, 10:29:45 PM
I took the test.

So, my accent is West London? I lived for a couple of years in Ilford and then for rather longer in Windsor. West London is about mid-way between them.

 I cannot even imitate the accent of my native Nottingham, nor that of my eventual hometown, Grantham. In fact, I recall, when I was about 12, deciding to talk without (as I saw it) any accent and copy the voices I heard on the Home Service.

My accent is RP. Perhaps its chief advantage is that I can be understood in every part of the United Kingdom.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 02, 2018, 11:33:47 PM
I took the test.

So, my accent is West London? I lived for a couple of years in Ilford and then for rather longer in Windsor. West London is about mid-way between them.

 I cannot even imitate the accent of my native Nottingham, nor that of my eventual hometown, Grantham. In fact, I recall, when I was about 12, deciding to talk without (as I saw it) any accent and copy the voices I heard on the Home Service.

My accent is RP. Perhaps its chief advantage is that I can be understood in every part of the United Kingdom.

Can you?
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Harrowby Hall on March 03, 2018, 11:23:53 AM
I spent the best part of a year in Huddersfield and had no problems at all.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: floo on March 21, 2018, 11:33:41 AM
I speak received English as I was taught to do by my mother. As a kid I used to put on the accent of my home island just to wind her up! ;D
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Grace of God on March 21, 2018, 12:02:24 PM
Not sure that asking what words you use necessarily tells you an accent, which is, I think, easier for change to happen to than vocabulary



http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180205-which-british-accent-is-closest-to-your-own

we have what could be best described as hard "A"s , car, mars bar all make the accent strong..lol
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ippy on March 21, 2018, 12:26:10 PM
I'm from north London, I've got a Londonish accent, I do pronounce my H, cannot stand that southern Plaaarstic elaaarstic, I even heard someone on the radio say Chaaartum when she meant Chatam Kent, talk about chalk squeaking across the blackboard, oh yes, and a Lancaaarster Bomber, orrible. 

I have a relative that drops his H almost all of the time, except for when he refers to an arris rail on a wooden fence, which in fact doesn't have an H, I daren't catch my wife's eye when he says it.

Regards ippy
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Grace of God on March 21, 2018, 12:28:14 PM
I'm from north London, I've got a Londonish accent, I do pronounce my H, cannot stand that southern Plaaarstic elaaarstic, I even heard someone on the radio say Chaaartum when she meant Chatam Kent, talk about chalk squeaking across the blackboard, oh yes, and a Lancaaarster Bomber, orrible. 

I have a relative that drops his H almost all of the time, except for when he refers to an arris rail on a wooden fence, which in fact doesn't have an H, I daren't catch my wife's eye when he says it.

Regards ippy

I love hearing accents, I worked with a gang of geordies for nearly a year, it's like another language..lol
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ippy on March 21, 2018, 03:30:11 PM
I love hear

I have a lot of family in Grimsby/Cleethorps, I translate for them when they visit us lot down souf, one of them is my great great great niece, scary.

Regards ippy
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Grace of God on March 21, 2018, 03:31:46 PM
I love hear

I have a lot of family in Grimsby/Cleethorps, I translate for them when they visit us lot down souf, one of them is my great great great niece, scary.

Regards ippy

The accent isn't that bad lol but it is funny..
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Robbie on March 21, 2018, 04:47:06 PM
I love regional accents especially if they are not too strong (not that I mind stronger ones but they are often difficult to understand); a regional 'inflection' can be very attractive in my opinion. Scots, Welsh, Irish, Cheshire - even 'educated' Merseyside - sounds good to me.

If I had lived with people from other parts I certainly would have picked up bits of how they spoke, heard that in others & can be pleasant.  Unfortunately I've not been so exposed. Always wanted an accent so somewhat deprived  :(.  Parents and older immediate family never had one but many cousins from Yorkshire have a pleasant inflection.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 21, 2018, 04:50:03 PM
I love regional accents especially if they are not too strong (not that I mind stronger ones but they are often difficult to understand); a regional 'inflection' can be very attractive in my opinion. Scots, Welsh, Irish, Cheshire - even 'educated' Merseyside - sounds good to me.

If I had lived with people from other parts I certainly would have picked up bits of how they spoke, heard that in others & can be pleasant.  Unfortunately I've not been so exposed. Always wanted an accent so somewhat deprived  :(.  Parents and older immediate family never had one but many cousins from Yorkshire have a pleasant inflection.

You have an accent. There isn't a non accent.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: ippy on March 21, 2018, 04:51:13 PM
The accent isn't that bad lol but it is funny..

They don't live up there in the north, apparently they live 'way up yonder'.

Accent's not that bad but it's family so we don't need to tell them.

Regards ippy
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Harrowby Hall on March 21, 2018, 05:12:53 PM
As NS says, Robbie, you have an accent. It is most probably one called RP - Received Pronunciation. RP is essentially simply a way of pronouncing English utterances and appears to have been invented in public schools. It has no grammar and usage but is usually associated with Standard English.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Robbie on March 21, 2018, 06:19:25 PM
You have an accent. There isn't a non accent.

Most likely NS, just not recognised as such where I live. As you and HH say, standard English, nothing distinctive.
Title: Re: What British accent do you have?
Post by: Nearly Sane on March 21, 2018, 06:23:36 PM
Most likely NS, just not recognised as such where I live. As you and HH say, standard English, nothing distinctive.
my accent isn't recognised where I live - it's seen to be Scottish but generic. It's as covered earlier more about class in how it is seen.