"I'm all for regional accents... until they're too far from RP for my middle class sensibilities".
Th pronounced as f (and d) is legitimately part of some regional accents (cf. Mark Labbett): nobody would dare say that "three" pronounced as "tree" is wrong for an Irish accent.
The "th" > "f" thing is a pronunciation which in spite of being stigmatised, is spreading; originally from the Southeast, now it can be even heard in North, also with the help of the TV ("Estuary" English influence)
I find it curious to see how regional accents are so widespread on British TV: countries like France, Spain, Germany or even Italy would not accept announcers with heavy regional accents (or even people with a slight one; e.g. nothing which is not the "norm" or the pseudo-norm) on TV
There's no need for regional accents to sound slovenly - just listen to Radio 4, where the likes of Susan Rae and Kathy Clugston are clear, authoritative and warm. Jim Lee and Alan Smith both have noticeable accents, and then there's the magnificent Caribbean rumblings of Neil Nunes. Of course, if you want to hear what a proper BBC One announcer used to sound like, they also employ the splendid David Miles.
There's no need for regional accents to sound slovenly
I agree. If we
must
have common scum accents on the telly doing serious stuff like reading lottery numbers then at least tone them down to make them more palatable for middle England. People might talk like that in real life but I would rather not hear it thankyouverymuch. Also, while we're at it, i'm not racist BUT....
:-(
A former member
THE whole point of having no regional accents was in fact to make it possible for all viewers listening in to fully understand what been said. There still people in Central belt of scotland who cant deal with Aberdonian accents
I still think regional is being confused with unprofessional. This isn't an attack on John Bishop but he has a strong Scouse accent that is difficult for anybody unfamiliar with it to understand, whereas the likes of John Parrott or Neil Buchanan both have the same accent but are much more well spoken.
I still think regional is being confused with unprofessional. This isn't an attack on John Bishop but he has a strong Scouse accent that is difficult for anybody unfamiliar with it to understand,
Well that's their problem. I suggest you stick the subtitles on and stay away from Liverpool!
If people really can't understand strong, authentic regional accents maybe that's a sign there isn't enough of them on TV? To the extent that when they do pop up tw@tty snobs complain they're "slovenly" and "unprofessional".
:-(
A former member
Is it true there used to have Subtitles for Rab C nesbitt back in the early 90s ?
I still think regional is being confused with unprofessional. This isn't an attack on John Bishop but he has a strong Scouse accent that is difficult for anybody unfamiliar with it to understand,
Well that's their problem. I suggest you stick the subtitles on and stay away from Liverpool!
If people really can't understand strong, authentic regional accents maybe that's a sign there isn't enough of them on TV? To the extent that when they do pop up tw@tty snobs complain they're "slovenly" and "unprofessional".
?? I'm from Liverpool and was always told off both at home and in school for th-fronting.
I still think regional is being confused with unprofessional. This isn't an attack on John Bishop but he has a strong Scouse accent that is difficult for anybody unfamiliar with it to understand,
Well that's their problem. I suggest you stick the subtitles on and stay away from Liverpool!
If people really can't understand strong, authentic regional accents maybe that's a sign there isn't enough of them on TV? To the extent that when they do pop up tw@tty snobs complain they're "slovenly" and "unprofessional".
?? I'm from Liverpool and was always told off both at home and in school for th-fronting.
But did they insist you were well spoken like John Parrott or Neil Buchanan?
