The ideas towards the Birmingham accent are mainly negative, and suggested that the accent can lead to discrimination and prejudice, making it more difficult to get a job in other parts of the country. It was said to be the least attractive accent "eve worse than silence" in one of the articles and it is suggested that they should looose their accents in order to acheive success and attraction. Foreigners are said to like the accent however those from Britain seem to have a mainly negative judgement on the accent. It is also confused with the Black Country accent which is offensive to them as it is similar but not the same. I was aware of these views having grown up in Birmingham and moving to Southampton with the accent.
I don't really have any views towards the accent as it was what I was used to for the majority of my life.I don't really think thatit puts them at a disadvantage but it may help if the accent was more clearer to other regions so they are able to understand it, however some people may discriminate against Birmingham accents or even accents overall. I think there are certain stereotypes that come with certain accents so they do matter as people may make judgements on youbecause of your accent.
'even worse than silence' - just a bit extreme.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Mell - this is especially interesting for you having spent your earlier life in Birmingham. It might also be interesting for you to talk to your parents about when they think they started to hear your accent fading (or converging) when you moved to the southampton area.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right that accents do matter to a certain extent based on the fact that people make assumptions about accents and have preconceptions about people who have them
p.s. I do not know why you can't comment!! Have you followed and be-friended?!