General Chat

I was interested to see Len say the cast of Eastenders sound more Sarf London that East End. Being from Sarf London myself, I can tell a difference, whereas most people from elsewhere would say we were all 'Cockneys'. I grew up in a family where my Dad was from Sunderland (Mackem), my Mum was from South Wales (Look you!) and the only surviving Grandparent I knew was Glaswegian. Because we lived in South London, most people living there spoke with a London accent, so did I up to the end of primary school. When I got to the grammar school, we were given elocution lessons and made to 'talk proper', so now I veer between the two, depending on who I'm speaking to. I find it quite easy to mimic most British accents, except for Geordie and Northern Irish, which I can't do for toffee. CB >|<

Hi Jenny Had much the same problems! I haven't lived in Brum since 1984 but still get the Brummie (thicko) jokes! I remember once someone bein really shocked that I had A levels!! Back in Brum they all think I'm posh - maybe I should go back heh! Hope you are still goin to derbyshire meet? Cheers Kaz

Having had to change my way of speaking for survival, I would call the ability to sound like the 'natives' a gift!!! I lived in Malta during my 'formative' language years and, probably through too much of 'Listen with Mother', I had a horrendous 1950's Radio 4 posh accent. Then we moved to the north of Scotland. I was only 5, but realised a reality check for survival was needed and soon spoke with a fantastic scottish (Morayshire) accent. Then we moved to Cornwall.............................. Amazingly this came easily to me as well. Real problems arose when we moved from Cornwall to Devon. The dialect/accent was very similar, soon mastered, however. Back to Cornwall - I was by now an expert!! Hampshire was a doddle. Then I went to the Shetland Isles. This was truly a difficult task. According to the locals, I came from Liverpool!!! (there were a lot of Liverpudlians up there at the time). Back down to Hampshire, via Irvine and Dumfries & Galloway(easy by now). I've been in Hampshire for 21 years now, 2 years in a 'posh' village, 4 years on the New Forest, 15 in Winchester - and yes they do have different accents!!! I'm not 'posh' Winchester, but have developed a soft 'Ampshire' burr with a bit of RP, which suits me!! They can think I'm a 'bumpkin' pushover, until they rile me - I can come over posher than Brian Sewell when push comes to shove !!! maggie

hi jenny just turned on i think northerners have a very distinct accent dosnt matter were we go people say are you geordies i say no wer from co. durham and known as pit yackers a lot of the drey lads come from further north and i cant under stand a word ther talking about ann xx

Jenny, Save it for me till I come and visit! LOL CB >|< XX

I'm another one who just has to go on a fortnights holiday somewhere, and I pick up the accent! LOL I lived in Glasgow for the first 19 years of my life and for the past 25 yrs in Edinburgh. In Glasgow, they notice my Edinburgh accent yet here they still notice I'm a 'Weedgie' I don't think I've a particularly strong accent from either place, just sounds Scottish to me! I remember my old Granny who'd left Skye at 14 still had a strong Highland accent even though she lived in Glasgow for the next 70 years! Christine

Ian, is that really true?? Have you ever been to England? Sorry you are a new one on GR, I presume. Sorry for my ignorance if I am wrong. Jenny x

Right there with you Jenny (as I'm from just down the rowad!) Apparently I sound like a brummie too, but apparently in the town where I live (which is not far from Cannock) I sound posh (?) just because I was brought up in Lichfield Daft or what?

Susie, you just sound English and I probably sounded very Scottish. When we were in USA people asked what part of Ireland or England I came from and I said no Scotland.. Rosalyn

CB, feel very very tempted to dial your number and sing it to you. Do you dare me? Lol. Jenny xx

Hi Jenny, Living in Oz it amuses me that the Aussies can't differentiate between Scots, Irish and Welsh accents never mind which area you come from. Ian aka The Border Reiver

LMHO Jenny! All I can remember is the last line! Me Mum won't let me bring it in the 'ouse. I gorra fix it in the garding! CB >|< XX

I do not have one!! so to speak (excuse the pun) but I am often told I sound from oop north!! I have never lived oop north but wouldn't mind it though!!....lol...I actually sound the opposite of where I was born....Colchester! Love Susie xx

I lived in Somerset until I was 10 and then moved to the Midlands - I was teased relentlessly and they thought I was 'posh' and a 'snob'. I did pick up a Midlands accent whilst I was there, but it soon disappeared when I moved back to Somerset. I now don't have very much of an accent at all, but people do pick up on the occasional word and start talking about 'Cider'! I don't mind anymore - as long as they're not being nasty. Besides, I am hopeless with other peoples accents. Kaye x

Being a 'Limey' who has lived in America for over 30 years, I get very ticked off when the Yanks either a) Try to mimic my accent or b) Ask if I,m from Sweden, Oz or the East coast!

Having a London accent, I find the soap 'East Enders' irritating from several aspects but particularly so because of the accents. I would describe what they do is 'Estuary' English rather than East End. A lot of them obviously are from 'Sarf' of the Thames. Len

Hi Jenny Not quite the same but similar. My hubby can be very embarrassing. He seems to have an ear for accents and will often say to people 'are you from......'. I always cringe and hope that they aren't offended :)) Chrissie x

On holiday in Scotland a few years ago, my husband was at the bar in a pub, having a conversation with the barman. The man stood next to him at the bar said 'Are you from Sale?' John said, 'Yes, how did you know?' The guy said 'I recognised the accent'. John could not believe it as we don't think we have an accent at all! I turned out the guy was from Sale and had moved there 20 years before!! Lynne

Mommylonglegs singing ' When i get me moped on the ro-ad, iem gonna ryide ryide riyde' Cum on then yow lot, help me finish the song. Jenny x

Oh god Diana, I have the same problem. Spend time with someone with a strong accent & before I know it I also have it. Born in West London, lived in Huntingdonshire [now in Cambridge] lived in NZ & now in Somerset I think I have a bit of all of them. lol Oh & my husband was from County Durham Vivienne