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Parents’ fears over accents
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| Are you proud of your local accent? Tell us in the comment section below |
MORE than half of British parents discourage their children from speaking with their local accent for fear of harming their life chances.
A survey found that 51 per cent of parents actively discouraged their youngsters from using an accent while 33 per cent encouraged them to speak "the Queen's English".
The firm Combined Insurance asked more than 2,300 parents about the importance of keeping local accents and how this impacts on the community.
The respondents were asked whether they would encourage their children to speak with their region's local accent and what impact they thought this would have on their child's future.
They also indicated which accent they would most like their child to speak with.
One in five parents were worried their children might find it harder to get a well-paid job if they spoke in their local accent, and more than one in six thought their child would be perceived to have a lower level of intelligence.
10:53am Thursday 13th December 2007
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CommentPosted by: mel, heaton on 10:56am Thu 13 Dec 07
i dont discourage my son from speaking with an accent but as my son is still learning i do pronounce words properly like the queens english then he can say them properly. its common sense to teach a child to say hello rather than hiya
i dont discourage my son from speaking with an accent but as my son is still learning i do pronounce words properly like the queens english then he can say them properly. its common sense to teach a child to say hello rather than hiya
Posted by: spice, bolton on 11:12am Thu 13 Dec 07
Oh for goodness sake has the world gone mad whats wrong with having an accent,everybody has one thats life,if you come from the north why would you want to speak like a southerner,or any other place for that matter you are what you are,its the person that matters not the accent and I think its great that every place has its own,I cant think of anything worse than someone putting on a snobby accent,trying to be something theyre not,they sound so stupid.
Oh for goodness sake has the world gone mad whats wrong with having an accent,everybody has one thats life,if you come from the north why would you want to speak like a southerner,or any other place for that matter you are what you are,its the person that matters not the accent and I think its great that every place has its own,I cant think of anything worse than someone putting on a snobby accent,trying to be something theyre not,they sound so stupid.
Posted by: Tommy on 11:32am Thu 13 Dec 07
I'd be happy for my kids to have a northern accent. As long as the children grow up to be polite and have respect for others, they can speak whatever accent they like!
I'd be happy for my kids to have a northern accent. As long as the children grow up to be polite and have respect for others, they can speak whatever accent they like!
Posted by: brian, bolton on 11:40am Thu 13 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Tommy[/bold] wrote:
I'd be happy for my kids to have a northern accent. As long as the children grow up to be polite and have respect for others, they can speak whatever accent they like![/quote] well said
Tommy wrote:
I'd be happy for my kids to have a northern accent. As long as the children grow up to be polite and have respect for others, they can speak whatever accent they like!
well said
Posted by: cow-head, westhoughton on 11:45am Thu 13 Dec 07
I worked for many years in the South East, but I never tried to change or hide my accent. As long as anyone is polite and makes themselves understood there will not be a problem. People should be proud of their local accents.
I worked for many years in the South East, but I never tried to change or hide my accent. As long as anyone is polite and makes themselves understood there will not be a problem. People should be proud of their local accents.
Posted by: Andrew, Bury on 11:53am Thu 13 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Tommy[/bold] wrote:
I'd be happy for my kids to have a northern accent. As long as the children grow up to be polite and have respect for others, they can speak whatever accent they like![/quote] Absolutely.
Tommy wrote:
I'd be happy for my kids to have a northern accent. As long as the children grow up to be polite and have respect for others, they can speak whatever accent they like!
Absolutely.
Posted by: OldBoltonian on 12:25pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Heaven preserve us from homogenised mid-Atlantic (or even worse, Blair-style Essex-estuary) fake accents. I suspect there's some confusion going on, however, between having a regional accent and being unable to string together a rational, grammatical and coherent sentence....
Heaven preserve us from homogenised mid-Atlantic (or even worse, Blair-style Essex-estuary) fake accents. I suspect there's some confusion going on, however, between having a regional accent and being unable to string together a rational, grammatical and coherent sentence....
Posted by: soup, Bolton on 12:45pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Chat to people all over the world on the Internet, they love my English Howfan accent. They just want a set of clones no personal identity. 2,300 people what area's bet it was not Liverpool or Newcastle.
Chat to people all over the world on the Internet, they love my English Howfan accent. They just want a set of clones no personal identity. 2,300 people what area's bet it was not Liverpool or Newcastle.
Posted by: donmarg, bolton on 12:50pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Well Well worrying over an accent,
Just read the one about the guy getting is sentence cut after having sex with a minor hang the effin judge i say,
As you will see you cant comment i wonder why,
castration springs to mind for him and the judge,
Well Well worrying over an accent,
Just read the one about the guy getting is sentence cut after having sex with a minor hang the effin judge i say,
As you will see you cant comment i wonder why,
castration springs to mind for him and the judge,
Posted by: J4, Bolton on 1:09pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I work in sales and to be honest, for me it can go either way. Some customers love it (Peter and Vernon Kay references a plenty) but then when i get a proper cockney on some have refused to speak to me point blank purely on the accent! But i love it!
I work in sales and to be honest, for me it can go either way. Some customers love it (Peter and Vernon Kay references a plenty) but then when i get a proper cockney on some have refused to speak to me point blank purely on the accent! But i love it!
Posted by: Geoff, Rammy on 1:11pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I taught my parrot to speak like a Cockney, but it upset the trouble and strife, so it had to drop that accent and now it speaks with an Irish accent - to be sure, to be sure!
I taught my parrot to speak like a Cockney, but it upset the trouble and strife, so it had to drop that accent and now it speaks with an Irish accent - to be sure, to be sure!
Posted by: OldBoltonian on 1:14pm Thu 13 Dec 07
What's your accent I wonder, Spicy Eric?
What's your accent I wonder, Spicy Eric?
Posted by: Geordie Boy, on a chair in Totty on 1:16pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I'm a geordie and I quite like some of the NW accents. It's interesting to hear the old guys at the Totty Horticulrultural shows - quite lryical really.
I think what is unpleasent is gobby teens who shout with a put on accent, very unpleasent.
What's also interesting is the different words people use for everyday things e.g. how you describe a bread role (balm, tea cake,bap etc) A ginnel (we call it a grove in the North East), Fish and chips (we call it a lot in the NE). The most embarsing moment was when I was at University (not Uni !) in the West Mids. I asked for a pint of scotch in a pub. The barman asked me to confirm my request, good job as scotch is a kind of bitter beer in the NE!
Look everyone talk nicely and consider your words and you'll be ok.
I'm a geordie and I quite like some of the NW accents. It's interesting to hear the old guys at the Totty Horticulrultural shows - quite lryical really.
I think what is unpleasent is gobby teens who shout with a put on accent, very unpleasent.
What's also interesting is the different words people use for everyday things e.g. how you describe a bread role (balm, tea cake,bap etc) A ginnel (we call it a grove in the North East), Fish and chips (we call it a lot in the NE). The most embarsing moment was when I was at University (not Uni !) in the West Mids. I asked for a pint of scotch in a pub. The barman asked me to confirm my request, good job as scotch is a kind of bitter beer in the NE!
Look everyone talk nicely and consider your words and you'll be ok.
Posted by: spice, bolton on 1:37pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Hey OB,Spicey Eric thats a new one,I can say in all honesty I'm a Northerner through and through,I once had an Irish friend who when out didnt want a pint in a pint pot always asked for a tin glass meaning thin,believe me the barman many times had to get the landlord to fathom out what he was asking for as we stood bye in stiches so you see accents can be quite funny.
Hey OB,Spicey Eric thats a new one,I can say in all honesty I'm a Northerner through and through,I once had an Irish friend who when out didnt want a pint in a pint pot always asked for a tin glass meaning thin,believe me the barman many times had to get the landlord to fathom out what he was asking for as we stood bye in stiches so you see accents can be quite funny.
Posted by: OldBoltonian on 1:57pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I remember a waitress in a B&B in Bristol once, serving up the full English breakfast, I thought she asked me if I'd like offal with mine. Well I didn't really fancy any of that, but I was pretty peeved when everyone else got waffles with theirs....
I remember a waitress in a B&B in Bristol once, serving up the full English breakfast, I thought she asked me if I'd like offal with mine. Well I didn't really fancy any of that, but I was pretty peeved when everyone else got waffles with theirs....
Posted by: Zimmy, Brick Lane on 2:20pm Thu 13 Dec 07
You don't need any more waffle, you are full of it.
You don't need any more waffle, you are full of it.
Posted by: donmarg, bolton on 2:23pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Bloody hell ob whats with you another pr-- having a go at you,
Bloody hell ob whats with you another pr-- having a go at you,
Posted by: OldBoltonian on 2:34pm Thu 13 Dec 07
It amuses (though never ceases to amaze) me that I seem to have this effect on some people. Envy, inferiority complex, or sheer frustration - who knows what their problems are. And who cares.
It amuses (though never ceases to amaze) me that I seem to have this effect on some people. Envy, inferiority complex, or sheer frustration - who knows what their problems are. And who cares.
Posted by: Zimmy, Brick Lane on 2:51pm Thu 13 Dec 07
The only effect you have is complete tedium.
The only effect you have is complete tedium.
Posted by: spice, bolton on 2:58pm Thu 13 Dec 07
OB,they probably envy your intelligence,people have trouble understanding the northern accent I went to visit my niece in North Carolina and her husband hadnt met me before he couldnt understand a word I said it was quite nerve racking,at first he got used after a while,but it was nearly time to come home before he fully understood me.and that was English god knows what other countries wood make of it.
OB,they probably envy your intelligence,people have trouble understanding the northern accent I went to visit my niece in North Carolina and her husband hadnt met me before he couldnt understand a word I said it was quite nerve racking,at first he got used after a while,but it was nearly time to come home before he fully understood me.and that was English god knows what other countries wood make of it.
Posted by: Zimmy, Brick Lane on 3:09pm Thu 13 Dec 07
[quote]what other countries [bold]wood[/bold] [/quote]
Well there's no doubting your intelligence.
what other countries wood
Well there's no doubting your intelligence.
Posted by: Zimmy, Brick Lane on 3:13pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Just thinking, was there a Dumb Spice ?
:-)))
Just thinking, was there a Dumb Spice ?
:-)))
Posted by: KT on 3:14pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Im loving this accent thing!
As a Boltonian living in Yorkshire i've found many differences in dialect.
They sell chip teacakes rather than a chip barm, a large barm is a scuffler, a ginnel is a snicket, and when someones in a mood or got a face on, its called 'having a monk on'.
I don't think accents should be the problem...ensuring their kids can spell, string a sentence together and be polite should be their priority.
Im loving this accent thing!
As a Boltonian living in Yorkshire i've found many differences in dialect.
They sell chip teacakes rather than a chip barm, a large barm is a scuffler, a ginnel is a snicket, and when someones in a mood or got a face on, its called 'having a monk on'.
I don't think accents should be the problem...ensuring their kids can spell, string a sentence together and be polite should be their priority.
Posted by: spice, bolton on 3:38pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Zimmy,It was a typo for gods sake,have you nothing better to write about than critcising peoples errors,get a life,I dont know about there being a dumb spice ,but as you come from brick lane Ive heard of thick as a brick,if the cap fits, by the way KT I to love peoples accent and agree with what you say,
Zimmy,It was a typo for gods sake,have you nothing better to write about than critcising peoples errors,get a life,I dont know about there being a dumb spice ,but as you come from brick lane Ive heard of thick as a brick,if the cap fits, by the way KT I to love peoples accent and agree with what you say,
Posted by: OldBoltonian on 4:08pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Glad you are standing up for yourself Spicy; little Zimmy seems to have difficulty understanding the difference between banter and mindless insults.
Glad you are standing up for yourself Spicy; little Zimmy seems to have difficulty understanding the difference between banter and mindless insults.
Posted by: john, bolton on 4:19pm Thu 13 Dec 07
As a southerner settled in Bolton I find the accents of ladies from around the North West probably the sexiest in Britain. Long live local accents. Now when's Heather Stott on...
As a southerner settled in Bolton I find the accents of ladies from around the North West probably the sexiest in Britain. Long live local accents. Now when's Heather Stott on...
Posted by: heywood, Leigh on 4:38pm Thu 13 Dec 07
as an employer i dont mind a northern accent but when kids come in with this false "manc" or even "jamaican" accent they are out of luck. speak properly and it WILL help your chances.
as an employer i dont mind a northern accent but when kids come in with this false "manc" or even "jamaican" accent they are out of luck. speak properly and it WILL help your chances.
Posted by: donmarg, bolton on 5:07pm Thu 13 Dec 07
dumb spice you would get the part zimmey,
dumb spice you would get the part zimmey,
Posted by: fantastic, daubhill bolton on 6:30pm Thu 13 Dec 07
my wife a cockney bird and shes the best in the land she can chase me up the apple pears and give me a dig in the mince pies all my love roy
my wife a cockney bird and shes the best in the land she can chase me up the apple pears and give me a dig in the mince pies all my love roy
Posted by: chas, suffolk on 6:49pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I was dragged up in the smoke and when playing about with my Suffolk wife, I often said 'you cow'. Anybody who watched 'til death do us part' will know that that is common language for Londoners. This really upset her, because in Suffolk a cow meant a prostitute.
I was dragged up in the smoke and when playing about with my Suffolk wife, I often said 'you cow'. Anybody who watched 'til death do us part' will know that that is common language for Londoners. This really upset her, because in Suffolk a cow meant a prostitute.
Posted by: Bilbo Joe, Ont' pewt on 6:52pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I've only recently happened upon some of the works of Edwin Waugh, a fine writer in Lancashire dialect. It's certainly worth looking up his work. As a boy my mother sent me to elocution lessons, whereas my grandfather (a coalminer) thought it equally as important that that I learned what he called "the Lanky twang". I'm grateful to them both.
I've only recently happened upon some of the works of Edwin Waugh, a fine writer in Lancashire dialect. It's certainly worth looking up his work. As a boy my mother sent me to elocution lessons, whereas my grandfather (a coalminer) thought it equally as important that that I learned what he called "the Lanky twang". I'm grateful to them both.
Posted by: donmarg, bolton on 7:20pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Husband and wife out playing golf,
He ends up unconcious in hospitalwith a 5 iron round is neck
When he comes round the nurse says what happened,
The guy says i was playing golf with my missus and she sliced her ball into a field of cows,
He said i went to look for it then i saw something white up the cows rear,
I lifted the cows tail and shouted this looks like yours and thats the last thing i remember,
Husband and wife out playing golf,
He ends up unconcious in hospitalwith a 5 iron round is neck
When he comes round the nurse says what happened,
The guy says i was playing golf with my missus and she sliced her ball into a field of cows,
He said i went to look for it then i saw something white up the cows rear,
I lifted the cows tail and shouted this looks like yours and thats the last thing i remember,
Posted by: erichyland on 8:24pm Thu 13 Dec 07
I though Chas from the smoke would say "you caa" not "you cow"
If Fantastic get a dig in the mince pies that' a dig in the eye's !!!
A lot of the kids today try to sound as if they are from Eastenders and will not pronounce their Ts as in: Parie, Communie, Senenie. Even some adults do this, shame really.
I though Chas from the smoke would say "you caa" not "you cow"
If Fantastic get a dig in the mince pies that' a dig in the eye's !!!
A lot of the kids today try to sound as if they are from Eastenders and will not pronounce their Ts as in: Parie, Communie, Senenie. Even some adults do this, shame really.
Posted by: erichyland on 8:27pm Thu 13 Dec 07
That last example should be Sevenie, but who knows how it's spelt.
That last example should be Sevenie, but who knows how it's spelt.
Posted by: tosh on 11:35pm Thu 13 Dec 07
Strive to keep your accent because thats who you are, wherever you come from.
Strive to keep your accent because thats who you are, wherever you come from.
Posted by: chas, suffolk on 8:31am Fri 14 Dec 07
[quote]A lot of the kids today try to sound as if they are from Eastenders and will not pronounce their Ts as in: Parie, Communie, Senenie. Even some adults do this, shame really.[/quote] Keep trying.
A lot of the kids today try to sound as if they are from Eastenders and will not pronounce their Ts as in: Parie, Communie, Senenie. Even some adults do this, shame really.
Keep trying.
Posted by: michael, leigh lancs on 4:12pm Fri 14 Dec 07
which came first,the local accent or the queens english?
which came first,the local accent or the queens english?
Posted by: chas, suffolk on 5:29pm Fri 14 Dec 07
I'd like our politicans to speak with an English accent.
I'd like our politicans to speak with an English accent.
Posted by: Greater Manchester Junior member, Whitefield on 2:46am Mon 17 Dec 07
I think the Manc accent the finest accent around, most younger people in Bury speak with this accent. I do laugh when I here the how foolish some of the older folk sound with there broad Bolton/Oldham type accent, one would have thought at such an advanced age that they would be able to form their words better.
I think the Manc accent the finest accent around, most younger people in Bury speak with this accent. I do laugh when I here the how foolish some of the older folk sound with there broad Bolton/Oldham type accent, one would have thought at such an advanced age that they would be able to form their words better.
Posted by: parsnip, Failsworth on 12:18pm Wed 19 Dec 07
I don't think accents matter, most of the accents around Greater Manchester vary slightly, The north side such as Oldham Bury Middleton, Ashton etc are all similar to the main and old Manchester accent and very similar to the south side of our city. But Bolton people speak like they have had half their brains removed, a real bunch of knuckle draggers if I ever saw them.
I don't think accents matter, most of the accents around Greater Manchester vary slightly, The north side such as Oldham Bury Middleton, Ashton etc are all similar to the main and old Manchester accent and very similar to the south side of our city. But Bolton people speak like they have had half their brains removed, a real bunch of knuckle draggers if I ever saw them.
Posted by: alan on 6:58pm Wed 19 Dec 07
Eh up **** itl be reght nowt to worry bayt
Eh up **** itl be reght nowt to worry bayt
Posted by: Kirst on 4:31am Sun 23 Dec 07
What about a canadian accent??
What about a canadian accent??
Posted by: crystal, Bolton on 3:47pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Unfortunatley accents do matter in this day and age! They shouldn't but they do. I attended a private school where they drummed it into all girls that appearance and first impressions are 90% of success. Although we are taught not to judge a book by its cover, who doesn't??? I know that i judge people on how they look and speak, and i know that i shouldn't but i do because that is the first impression i have of someone. Unfortunately i have a Bolton accent, i have been told that it is not strong but i still have one and i honestly believe that my accent will inhibit my success as a lawyer! I hate to say it but this is simply because people from Bolton naturally sound thick and dosile! I do not have children, but i am certain that when i do i will ensure that i will encourage them to speak correctly. Funnily enough i found this article looking for elocution lessons.
Unfortunatley accents do matter in this day and age! They shouldn't but they do. I attended a private school where they drummed it into all girls that appearance and first impressions are 90% of success. Although we are taught not to judge a book by its cover, who doesn't??? I know that i judge people on how they look and speak, and i know that i shouldn't but i do because that is the first impression i have of someone. Unfortunately i have a Bolton accent, i have been told that it is not strong but i still have one and i honestly believe that my accent will inhibit my success as a lawyer! I hate to say it but this is simply because people from Bolton naturally sound thick and dosile! I do not have children, but i am certain that when i do i will ensure that i will encourage them to speak correctly. Funnily enough i found this article looking for elocution lessons.
Posted by: John Smith, horwich on 11:26am Sun 4 May 08
I had it so drummed into me when I was younger that I must always speak "properly" without a Lancashire accent that it has left me in a situation where I don't know how to speak - it sounds so unnatural. A few people have told me I sound like I've had elocution lessons that haven't worked. I can speak in a broad Lancashire accent in front of a mirror, but I can't bring myself to ever merge words together or drop letters in other people's presence, because of the constant moaning when I was younger.
You could try and set a good example to your children and encourage them to speak "better", but constantly shouting at them isn't the answer. I suppose that applies to anything with children.
I had it so drummed into me when I was younger that I must always speak "properly" without a Lancashire accent that it has left me in a situation where I don't know how to speak - it sounds so unnatural. A few people have told me I sound like I've had elocution lessons that haven't worked. I can speak in a broad Lancashire accent in front of a mirror, but I can't bring myself to ever merge words together or drop letters in other people's presence, because of the constant moaning when I was younger.
You could try and set a good example to your children and encourage them to speak "better", but constantly shouting at them isn't the answer. I suppose that applies to anything with children.
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