Hi, guys!

[Rhiannon]

I love accents and dialects. They’re really attractive.

[Shaker]

I love accents and dialects. They’re really attractive.

And RP is merely one more of these amongst many, remember.

[Nearly Sane]

And RP is merely one more of these amongst many, remember.

And it's changed considerably in the last 50 years - for the better I would suggest in that it was previously very unclear.

[Rhiannon]

And it's changed considerably in the last 50 years - for the better I would suggest in that it was previously very unclear.

Agree very much with this.

[Roses]

Broad dialects can be extremely hard to understand. My mother went crazy if we used the local accent when my siblings and I were kids.

When my husband and I started our married life in Derbyshire, we struggled for quite a while to understand what the locals were saying, until our ears became attuned.

[ippy]

Trent, this is starting to sound like a bias against Estuary English.

The acid test for Estuary ask a suspect Estuary speaker to say the girl's, or can be a woman's name Natterley, If they pronounce the tees, it's not a genuine Estuary accent.

Regards ippy

[Shaker]

Broad dialects can be extremely hard to understand. My mother went crazy if we used the local accent when my siblings and I were kids.

When my husband and I started our married life in Derbyshire, we struggled for quite a while to understand what the locals were saying, until our ears became attuned.

Try listening. This isn't the USA, where a comparatively small  number of accents/dialects (not the same thing, as if you needed the telling) hold sway over colossal swathes of land. No; this is a relatively small island where accents/dialects are divided by roads. I know whereof I speak; I was, for beaurocratic reasons,  born in Nuneaton (technically in the West Midlands ... just) but raised properly and rightly in the East Midlands, in Leicestershire. The A5 around Hinckley and Nuneaton (especially around the Long Shoot, IYKWIM), makes all the difference. Nuneaton people for some reason say batch; here we use the right and proper term for a bread roll with a crispy and crunchy top, namely, cob.

You can't fix stupid.

[Rhiannon]

The acid test for Estuary ask a suspect Estuary speaker to say the girl's, or can be a woman's name Natterley, If they pronounce the tees, it's not a genuine Estuary accent.

Regards ippy

Nor should each syllable be sounded. It's 'Na'lee' when said properly in Estuary. And I think that is a hangover from the rural days.

A discerning ear should be able to tell the difference between Estuary and East London too.

My accent has softened quite a bit since I've moved out although it's still apparent where I'm from - I do pronounce my ts, at least some of the time - but as soon as I am back with my mates from the east end I start channelling Pat Butcher. It's so embarrassing and my kids find it hysterical.

[ippy]

Try listening. This isn't the USA, where a comparatively small  number of accents/dialects (not the same thing, as if you needed the telling) hold sway over colossal swathes of land. No; this is a relatively small island where accents/dialects are divided by roads. I know whereof I speak; I was, for beaurocratic reasons,  born in Nuneaton (technically in the West Midlands ... just) but raised properly and rightly in the East Midlands, in Leicestershire. The A5 around Hinckley and Nuneaton (especially around the Long Shoot, IYKWIM), makes all the difference. Nuneaton people for some reason say batch; here we use the right and proper term for a bread roll with a crispy and crunchy top, namely, cob.

You can't fix stupid.

Completely wrong, it's a roll, you can make a mention of the contents followed by roll.

Regards ippy

[ippy]

Nor should each syllable be sounded. It's 'Na'lee' when said properly in Estuary. And I think that is a hangover from the rural days.

A discerning ear should be able to tell the difference between Estuary and East London too.

My accent has softened quite a bit since I've moved out although it's still apparent where I'm from - I do pronounce my ts, at least some of the time - but as soon as I am back with my mates from the east end I start channelling Pat Butcher. It's so embarrassing and my kids find it hysterical.

On thinking about it you're right yes very good, I love to hear accents and they do make me smile sometimes.

My brother's been living out in Australia for 50 years his accent hasn't altered a jot, his terms of phrase definitely have.

I come from north London and have to say it must be about the only place in the country that hasn't got an accent, funny that, it must be a part of the same reason my brothers accent hasn't shifted after all these years.

The accent that represents squeaking chalk to me was some old lady, lady this or that I don't know, she was on the radio speaking about Charrrtam, I remember thinking where's that until later when Kent was mentioned. (Charrrtam isn't an exaggeration of how she pronounced Chatam).

I can take any accent and enjoy the difference, until we get plum I'm known to walk away from plum speakers before I say something, I begin to see a red mist whenever I hear plum.

Plum to me is the language for those stuck up their own, just in case I wasn't clear enough.

Regards ippy   

[wigginhall]

Nor should each syllable be sounded. It's 'Na'lee' when said properly in Estuary. And I think that is a hangover from the rural days.

A discerning ear should be able to tell the difference between Estuary and East London too.

My accent has softened quite a bit since I've moved out although it's still apparent where I'm from - I do pronounce my ts, at least some of the time - but as soon as I am back with my mates from the east end I start channelling Pat Butcher. It's so embarrassing and my kids find it hysterical.

This stuff fascinates me, as used to teach accents and dialects in linguistics.  We are used to what we call Fulham accent in west London, but don't know how similar to East London and estuary.  It can be very strong.

Glottal stops are found all over, e.g. Manchester accents have them.  We always imitate accents wherever we go, probably not recommended.  I still say "my lover", (Bristol).

[Harrowby Hall]

Nor should each syllable be sounded. It's 'Na'lee' when said properly in Estuary. And I think that is a hangover from the rural days.

Although ippy's example does use the correct Estuary orthography.

[Robbie]

ippy: I can take any accent and enjoy the difference, until we get plum I'm known to walk away from plum speakers before I say something, I begin to see a red mist whenever I hear plum.

Plum to me is the language for those stuck up their own, just in case I wasn't clear enough.
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People who speak 'plum' as you call it are people the same as you. You're making a judgement based on how they speak. It can be difficult to understand if they mumble, speak too quickly and let one word roll into another. However any strong accent can be difficult for a listener if they are not used to it, as discussed above.

Anyone who has to speak publicly or needs interpersonal skills will be taught how to speak slowly and clearly, not to lose their accent but so they can be understood but a lot of people don't have that sort of role so will speak as they always have.

I don't know why you've singled out that particular way of speaking, you seem resentful.

[Roses]

I agree a plummy accent is unpleasant, many of the early broadcasters had such an accent, no more thank goodness.

I have done quite a lot of public speaking in my time, and being able to speak clearly has come in very useful.

[Robbie]

I'm impressed!

You're right it is important to speak clearly so that you can be understood when you are dealing with people.

[Shaker]

Ew, people.

I lather on the accent to keep them away from me, not to be understood. If they can't understand me, great - they can piss off.

[Rhiannon]

Some of the nicest people I've met speak plum.