Accents

[lupestripe]

Research has proven that accents can be used as a form of discrimination. Scousers are less likely to be trusted whereas the perception of Geordies is one of openness and friendliness. These stereotypes, based on accent, have been used to discriminate against people in job interviews and the like.

I come from the North-East of England yet I don't believe I have a North-East accent. I can't hear it anyway. However, a lot of my friends believe I do have such an accent. What do you think?

Most of my friends don't have discernable accents - do you believe that you do? And have you ever got into difficulty because of your accent?

Comments

[lsfiox.livejournal.com]

Never had a problem with my accent or being understood, then again when growing up I learned to do different accents for fun and kept a rather bland one for normal talky stuff

[kyyanno.livejournal.com]

No-one, unless they know me and my history well, ever guesses where I'm from originally - I've even had different countries suggested, let alone counties! XD

[alexf0x.livejournal.com]

Nope, but then my accent is a stardard British one.

Not that anyone has issues with accents in a small city where over 30 languages are spoken.

[jenna-vixen.livejournal.com]

My accent sticks out like a sore thumb here. ;)

Many Brits guess that I'm from Canada, which isn't too far off I suppose, since I grew up in Minnesota.

[doco.livejournal.com]

Ah cun sound like an uppah clahs twit from teeh souf-east if ah desire so, buT moest of deh time ah du nut, ahs iT souunds rathUR silleh when ah four reiner dus it.

[shep-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I don't think you have a north-eastern accent at all. I think this must be due to you being around people who didn't have such an accent during your formative years :)

I've got a 'BBC voice', arising from being born and raised in east Kent - I've found that being well-spoken has many advantages :)

[wruf.livejournal.com]

I have a definite north eastern accent and I can't say I've ever had any discrimination due to it apart from the odd teasing remark from my business partner about the way I pronounce Os. ;)

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

South Midlands accent here, due to be brought up in Northampton.

[hollud.livejournal.com]

I've had classmates ask me whether I was American. That's probably a first for me. =D

[dark-raven-wolf.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be able to tell... I have this weird ability to understand any accent very easily...(even the hard ones) so I tend not to pick them
if I notice them at all
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according to my overseas friends mine is British with a touch of sterotypical
(personally I think it's more about the words I use... I'm very elequent but throw in Australia words often

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I've been lucky.... the most difficulty I've had is someone having trouble understanding me...^_^

[metamorphosys.livejournal.com]

I was born in Stockton-on-Tees but I never considered myself to have an accent. No-one has told me I do either. Take care.

[selth.livejournal.com]

my accent causes me not to be understood...

by indian people. SERVES YOU, HAHA. (can't understand them either so...)

and a few english ones, but I want to solve that >.+.<

my only problem in listening is to adapt to the speed of the talker at times.

[blueberrybadger.livejournal.com]

Geordies = Scouser to Londoners

[startide.livejournal.com]

Heh, to steal a line from Jeff Foxworthy on my accent: People automatically want to deduct a hundred IQ points when they hear me speak. XD

A lot of Texas, a little Alabama, and a slight stereotypical gay accent.

You should try recording yourself speaking and listen to it. I cringe when I hear my voice played back.

[stuart-otterson.livejournal.com]

I remember being on a park with Azra and Lone having a drink. We were talking about the way we spoke and how Azra and Lone have been told they spoke posh. I said that people had said that about me as well, to which Lone said that I spoke like an idiot! XD

[rustyfox.livejournal.com]

I have no idea, I think it varies from Yorkshire to Londoner accents depending on mood, company, time of day, position of the moon...

[helen-hedgey.livejournal.com]

I think I have a North London accent

[tryst-fel-cath.livejournal.com]

I use a Welsh accent (I was born in Swansea) when I want people to underestimate me.

[rugbywolf.livejournal.com]

I've got a very, very posh accent. It does occasionally lead to people taking the piss or making things a bit more difficult for me, which is bloody annoying!

[haunter-uk.livejournal.com]

Well, my accent is mild enough that when asked where I'm from people usually express surprise...

...Though I also note that one's ability to pick up one's own accent is usually somewhat limited.

[silent-o.livejournal.com]

I share an accent with Tom Brokaw, Johnny Carson, and Walter Cronkite: neutral Midwestern.

A hint of the South is mixed in, and I'm also rather fond of anachronistic turns of phrase.