As we were relaxing on the sofa last night with a belly full of Lancashire (I really surpassed myself) Hotpot, Rob’s phone rang. He answered it and, as always, I tried to work out who was on the other end. I could only hear Rob’s side of the conversation, the content of which gave nothing away, but within about 20 or 30 seconds I knew exactly who had called him.
I’ve never met Derek, I’ve only ever heard him. But I reckon he’s in his sixties or seventies and was born at the end of a very long winding lane, deep in the heart of the countryside and within very close proximity to a couple of sheep, a combine harvester and a cider barrel. He has a very broad Devonshire accent which Rob, when he’s talking to Derek, for some reason adopts.
“Alright buy,” he says. “Owz e doin’? (That’s Rob, not Derek.)
A comment about some woman they both know
Er’s maze, er is.
Talking about her breasts
Gert big fings, innem?
About her boyfriend
Hard as a dug’s ade.
When noticing the time
Youm late buy.
When saying goodbye
Catch e la’er, me boot.
I’ve lived in Devon my whole life, but honestly, even I have trouble deciphering it sometimes.
What do you all think of accents?
A blog friend, Janet, recently mentioned on Facebook that she’d like a British accent (which means she obviously hasn’t heard of Liverpool).
Sorry. I was joking.
(Kind of.)
Do Americans notice the vast difference in our accents like we do? Do they have favourites, or ones which make their toes curl? Or do we all sound the same to them?
I couldn’t tell you if a person was from New York or Miami or Chicago.
(I may be able to tell you if someone was from Texas though.)
So tell me…do you have any favourites, or ones you can’t stand?
Have you ever tried to ‘lose’ your accent, or exaggerate it?
Have you ever fallen in love with an accent?
Have you ever left a room because of an accent?
Have you ever, within a few minutes of talking to someone with a different accent, found yourself talking just like them?
(Just for the record, I answered yes to all five.)
And now…just cos I love you all so much…
I tend ot pick up the accents of the people I’m talking to as well! I like most accents – I have an American friend and the way she says TROUSERS really cracks me up!
I love American accents, but the only way I can envisage the word trousers being said is is a Jimmy Crankyesque fashion. “Troosers.”
It cracks me up!
Love the blog and am gonna enjoy following you x
Thank you! I’ve linked you too.
I answered yes to four of them.
I watch the Jerry Springer show sometimes and I can`t understand some of the “guests” language at all.
I`ll tell you what…you come whisper in my ear and I`ll tell you how lovely and sexy it is.
That sounds like to good an opportunity to pass up, Jim! x
Aussie accents vary greatly, my old GF from there says some natives have trouble understranding other natives, like us here in the states with our southern counterparts. I didn’t have any problems understanding Australians anywhere I went, but I loved the surprised looks I’d get when kids would hear me talk the first time.
Oh, and my then future Aussie GF said I sounded like Kermit the frog the first time she heard my voice…
I really need to get onto You Tube and search for Kermit now!
Dont let Derick hear you,eel scat e down soon as look at ee. x Good post..
Lol!
I wish I knew what that meant! xxx
And the sad thing is hunni …you and rob paid to see em my beaut Any ways maid see e soon !!! x
Get it right, Ronnie….we saw Chas and Dave! x
I love you Laney poops! Accent and all.
And I would never be blunt with you cause you are pure sweetness!
Loves you too, Shelly baby. x
Damn it. I need to watch my mouth. I would wish no harm upon you either!
I like your mouth
I love how with English accents, you get some sense of class and upbringing as well. Here in the US, accents are more regional than anything else.
They’re regional here as well.
I think we tend to assume that people who speak the Queen’s English are classy or wealthy, and those who don’t, aren’t. This is entirely wrong of course!
Btw, have I mentioned how beautiful and healthy your little avatar looks lately?
Blows kiss and puts on running shoes.
Shelly Rayedeane – you are making me blush! x
So funny; my husband does exactly the same when he’s talking to some friends of ours from Essex – he puts on a really irritating southern accent and sounds like a total knob – he speaks very broad Northumbrian with a bit of Scottish thrown in.
And what’s so annoying is that his accent is my favourite!!
CJ xx
You nearly made me spit my coffee out when I read this!
I’ve virtually lost my Yorkshire accent having lived “down south” for 25 years. But today, as an experiment, I said to my wife and son “put wood in t’ole” and neither could understand how to carry out my instruction even when I said it slowly.
That’s hilarious!
I haven’t heard anyone say that for years!
i lurves british and scottish accents. some german ones, too, but not all. i can normally tell where someone is from around here whether ny, boston, the south. i would equate our southerners’ accents w y’alls southerners’ accents lol now if i’m around someone w an accent for a week? i will come home w one and can’t get rid of it for like two or three weeks lol
Cobber Digger Buddy Pal
I’m an Aussie; thru and thru
Lots to catch up on the reading Miss U
rn x
I have a telephone voice, or so I’ve been told but other than that my accent is neutral I think.
I have to say the Scouse accent really grates on my nerves. My favourite accents are Irish and Welsh.