Your accent

[Hodgies]

Posh Glaswegian and wouldn't change it. Spent several years living in Hampshire and I got irritated by people questioning that I was from Glasgow, presumably because I didn't sound as rough as expected? or pretending they couldn't understand what I said....usually as a means of being patronising. People also always wanted to discuss the weather with me!

Had an issue on the phone the other day with a call centre "generic English accent" guy who did the can't understand you routine which I thought was ridiculous. If you choose to work somewhere that you're going to have to speak to people from all over the country you need to get better at working out what they say without acting as if it's a massive inconvenience for you.

 

[Sallycinnamon_]

Lincolnshire here. People round here say we don’t have an accent as such but there is a definite Lincolnshire twang. I think we drag our words out a bit. Or maybe could be where I live.
Accents fascinate me! 30 minute drive away is a completely different accent!

 

[Bumblebee]

I’m from thr south east and wouldn’t say I had an accent. However when I lived in York I was told that I was very posh!
I’m not. I do pronounce my H’s T’s etc. And pull my children up if they say things like ain’t. The husband is from York and I find he puts H’s where they shouldn’t be. Not sure if that’s just him or a Yorkshire thing. And the children do say a few yorkshireism’s occasionally and I notice when they speak to him they might say Baf instead of Barth and other words that are pronounced differently in Yorkshire.

 

[Ya-Mar]

I’m from the North East and have a very strong accent. I never try to hide it my customers at work absolutely love it, I also almost got kidnapped off some Canadians in Mexico as they were huge Geordie Shore fans and were amazed

 

[DigiDuino]

I'm from Scotland, my accents is much lighter than the rest of my family. No one knows why, but it's always been like that. It's somehow 'posher', and my area already have pretty light versions of a Scottish accent

it's been helpful for living in England

 

[Lalala17]

I have a very broad Barnsley accent. I wouldn’t change it for anything. Brummie, Barnsley and Scottish accents are my favourites.
I would hate to have the typical yummy mummy accent - ie MOD. Worst accent going.

Ah i have a definite wakey accent which i didn't even realise I had until i moved to Barnsley a few years ago. I think its crazy how different they are and its only down the road. My next door neighbour is so broad, always says 'tha' and 'oh arr' I find it dead comforting and friendly!

 

[Lollypad]

I like mine but it’s not really placeable so I wish it was a bit more Yorkshire. Down south I’m too Northern and up North I’m too southern!

 

[Fancyfeathers]

Apparently I can change my accent depending on who I am talking too. ( Husband or my own family) as they are not all from the same country and I currently live in the same country as my husband. The best bit is I don't even know I am doing it and apparently can change it instantly.

I do that too with friends i can sound like them and not realise it i am lucky they like me to put up with it phew
I don't think have one unless i say the word writing and can then hear the welsh in that and to everyone i do have an accent but can never hear it myself

 

[coconochanel]

I don’t hate my accent but a lot of people point it out to me. I’m from Stoke and so people pick up on the little ways I say things like look and book. We also say things like duck, shug, conna and ayup orate! Which can be like a different language! I don’t hate my accent but I think it sounds kind of funny at times. But I love it at work when I hear another Stokie- makes me feel comfy and at home. If I could chose an accent to have it would probably be Southern Ireland or some sort of Italian accent I think. I wouldn’t chose Stokie!!

whats conna?

 

[Sosig]

I have a scouse accent but it’s not a screechy over the top one only when I’m taking the piss I’ll over exaggerate it.

Its a bit deeper than most scouse girls and half the time I sound pissed off but I genuinely don’t meant it

 

[Catfan2]

South London, neither posh nor common imo . Favourite accent is definitely Scouse, love it

 

[HHH_7]

I’m South London and like my accent .. I think I’m quite well spoken to be honest. Not the Queen’s English but not as “South London” as others! Went on holiday years ago and met a group of guys from Leicester who thought we were cockney but I’m not at all!

 

[Pinkblush]

Love the cockney and scouse accents.

Ti

Sorry to re quote myself!!! As you see from my post i had (still have a bit but i'm wirking on it ) massive chip on my shoulder about my accent.I let go of a bit of rage couldn't help it and then i came across this article in the gaurdian about students being bullied about their accents and bingo it hit that nerve right on the head because yes thats exactly how i felt as well.Except i maybe was not as articulate as nina in explaining this.
I'm glad that people are finally speaking out on this issue as its a long time coming in my opinion.Well done nina (i'm from close by) in saying what needed saying its elitist bullying nothing more nothing less and it should be taken seriously.Thanks for that and i wish her well why should this be the accepted face of ridicule with all the class bias and misogyny that entails?

The bullying is not exclusive to one area tho. I had awful things said to me when I worked in scotland because I was from down south. Also had a boss from wakefield who used to bad mouth my accent and say things like ' you've got a daft accent and i don't want to lose the business, let me ring him'. Its widespread.

 

[Gossipmongers]

I grew up in the north of England and had quite a strong accent but I moved to the south when I was 16. Over the years my accent has changed dramatically from living down here and having a boyfriend of 8 years that speaks with a ‘posh’ sounding accent which he picked up from going to private school. When I meet new people they can’t believe where I grew up and whenever I go back to my home town to see family/friends their accent sounds so strong and harsh to me now. I didn’t mind my old accent but prefer my new accent and I like that I sound like everyone else in my area.

 

[Lola UK]

I have a soft south welsh accent.. I’ve had lots of people here tell me I sound English, but I’m sure if I went to England they would tell me I sound like Nessa

 

[miserysorrow]

I'm from Dublin but I don't have a thick Dublin accent It's probably slightly Americanised too more so than I realise but sometimes it the thick accent does slip up

 

[Pixipoppy]

I don’t have an accent actually the only time anyone has told me I have an accent was in the US. It’s just generic English - could be from anywhere. I’ve lived in wales for a long time so go a bit Welsh especially when I’m talking to people at work, the Welsh have a lovely singsong way of talking to each other that just sounds so natural... my accent is so awkward and stilted in comparison.

 

[SunshineDreamer]

I’ve been told I sound like Toff - I don’t hear it. My school always made us practice Received Pronunciation so I put it down to that.

 

[Melian]

I don't appear to have an obvious accent. No one can work out where I'm from. I've had Portsmouth (because I think, he mixed it up with Plymouth where I'm from) and Stevenage

 

[Giggling Squid]

Do you like your accent? Wish you could change it ?
I am from greater London / Hertfordshire and speak with a pretty platonic English accent I would say ( modern Received Pronunciation) I’ve always thought it was bland but it’s easily understandable and sounds professional.

Started this mainly because I’ve been watching accent videos on YouTube and find it interesting also I have been told I subconsciously switch my voice to a bit more eloquent when speaking to strangers or customers, I’m not sure why could be a nervous thing. Anyone else do that ?

I’m from Hertfordshire and would describe my accent pretty much the same. I have also been told I do exactly the same! My other half calls it my work voice.
Went to uni with a load of northerners, and got called posh but I think I just have a fairly middle of the road Home Counties accent