British accents

Spoken English shows great variation across regions where it is the predominant language. Accent is the part of dialect concerning local pronunciation. 

As I love to hear and imitate british accents, today a few words about some of them. 

Received Pronunciation

Received Pronunciation (a term by 19th Century linguist A.J. Ellis)  is the probably the closest the United Kingdom has ever had to a “standard accent.”  Although originally related to the upper-classes in London and other areas of Southeast England, it is largely non-regional.  You’ve likely heard the accent countless times in Jane Austen adaptations, Merchant Ivory films, and Oscar Wilde plays. It emerged from the 18th- and 19th-Century upper classes, and has remained the “gold standard” ever since.

Geordie

Geordie normally refers to both the people and dialect of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in Northeast England. It is one of the oldest and best loved British dialects, but it is slowly dying.  If you understand Cheryl Cole and comedians Ant and Dec, then you’ll have no problems.

Cockney

Commonly spoken in the East End of London is the cockney accent. It is typically associated with working class citizens.

Scottish English

Scots roll their Rs regularly and collapse their words so that they sound like they have been cut off in the middle. For instance, ‘cot’ instead of ‘caught’ and ‘not’ with ‘nee’. So instead of saying you ‘didn’t do anything in Edinburgh’, it sounds more like ‘didnee do anythin’ in Ednbrah.’ Think of the gorgeous Gerard Butler.

West Country (Southwest British)

The West Country accent can be heard in the South of England, just about fifty miles West of London and extending to the Welsh border. Often, the letter ‘r’ is pronounced after vowels. Instead of saying mother as ‘muthah’, someone from the Southwest would say ‘mutherrr’. Look up Comedian Justin Lee Collins.

Midlands English

The most famous is the Brummie English. This accent has made headlines claiming to baffle a computer software. Callers to the Birmingham City Council have been left frustrated because the authority’s computerised phone system cannot understand the Brummie accent.

Welsh English

The accent is heavily influenced by the Welsh language. Although a survey has shown that some Welsh feel that their accent may prove to be a hindrance to their career, others remain proud and describe the accent as melodious and lilting. Is it a yay or nay for you?

Estuary English (Southeast British)

This accent can be heard around Southeast England, East Anglia, the Midlands and North. It is slightly similar to General American in the US. Look up comedian Russell Brand or Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay.

Northern England EnglishThese are the accents and dialect spoken north of the midlands, in cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool. Related accents also found in rural Yorkshire, although there are some unique dialect features there that I won’t get into now.

That’s right. You may be very good at English with high scores in your IELTS, but nothing prepares you for the various British accents.