It's fascinating to me how much there is to say on classism, still, in your corner of the world. So many strong identities across such a relatively small distance!
Hamish's monologue made me smile!
There was a time when my son talked like Teletubbies and another when my daughter talked like Peppa Pig. Eventually they go back to Mom and Dad's accent because that's who they identify with.
I often wonder how bad the class divide is in the USA. You definitely have something of the same issue (I'd argue the "basket of deplorables" view is very class-based) but perhaps not as deeply rooted. I would love to travel to the US one day and try to see for myself.
I think it's more of a cultural divide. There are people proud of their struggle in poverty, ashamed of their poverty, proud of their wealth and ashamed of their wealth. But if you're from the "South" (huge bottom-right chunk of the country) you are basically your own country. And if you're from the northeast, you probably look at those people as ignorant, racist, etc. Midwesterners are their own thing, and the people out west kind of resent liberal cities like L.A. and Portland representing them.
Have to comment. I wonder if I’m the only American who does-not-give-a-fuck what anybody’s accent is. I truly don’t; further, being of simple means myself would much rather be in the company of the poorer, economically. They at least, are real. I’ve found that the others, are not. Rest your concerns.
My maternal grandmother was a Lancashire lass - Salford to be precise, just around the corner from Old Trafford, although she left the area around 1920 or so - and despite mostly sounding like a posh southerner I have traces of Lancastrian that pop out every so often, causing a few stares as if I've exposed myself. Normally it's either when I say 'I'm sat down here...' or variants thereof, or when I pronounce 'us' as 'uz'. Listening to Lancastrian accents always gives me a sense of peace!
I've never been, but would love to visit. It's always been on my list, but I'd want to spend at least a month to ho around a few places. Florida sounds fascinating, although I'd be terrified of the alligators. As an English woman, having genuinely dangerous wild animals is a very strange concept. We've just got sheep.
Oh, I do like a West Country twang. I suppose one of the joys of meeting a wide range of people is that you get those different responses. And I do like hearing different accents, as much as I might make fun of them all (including my own, of course).
Thank you! I'm hoping not to get arrested just yet, although I think we may all get a turn at that before the next five years is up. An update on the idea that everyone will get their fifteen minutes of fame. Now we all get our fifteen months in a cell.
Georgia, I honestly love reading whatever you have to say, about virtually anything. I'm sure if I could hear your accent in my head while reading those written words, I would be even more enthralled. I am an Amercian, so I'm fairly clueless when it comes to knowing the regions of the U.K. and what they're known for, how they differ societally, economically and so forth. However, here in the States, I can definitely relate to perceptions and conclusions that are made about people based on accents. Not sure if you've ever been over here but there is a plethora of regional accents available in the U.S. So different, so recognizable and unfortunately all of them come with a preconceived notion of who people really are based on how they talk. Thanks again for a wonderful, entertaining post. - Jim
Thank you, but I don't think I should inflict my slightly reedy, wonky voice on my subscribers! I love the range of American accents too. I have a particular soft spot for the Southern accents, I tend to like them best. Musical voices.
It's fascinating to me how much there is to say on classism, still, in your corner of the world. So many strong identities across such a relatively small distance!
Hamish's monologue made me smile!
There was a time when my son talked like Teletubbies and another when my daughter talked like Peppa Pig. Eventually they go back to Mom and Dad's accent because that's who they identify with.
I often wonder how bad the class divide is in the USA. You definitely have something of the same issue (I'd argue the "basket of deplorables" view is very class-based) but perhaps not as deeply rooted. I would love to travel to the US one day and try to see for myself.
I think it's more of a cultural divide. There are people proud of their struggle in poverty, ashamed of their poverty, proud of their wealth and ashamed of their wealth. But if you're from the "South" (huge bottom-right chunk of the country) you are basically your own country. And if you're from the northeast, you probably look at those people as ignorant, racist, etc. Midwesterners are their own thing, and the people out west kind of resent liberal cities like L.A. and Portland representing them.
Have to comment. I wonder if I’m the only American who does-not-give-a-fuck what anybody’s accent is. I truly don’t; further, being of simple means myself would much rather be in the company of the poorer, economically. They at least, are real. I’ve found that the others, are not. Rest your concerns.
I doubt you're the *only* American who doesn't care, but I'd bet it's a small club. I am definitely trying to care that bit less!
My maternal grandmother was a Lancashire lass - Salford to be precise, just around the corner from Old Trafford, although she left the area around 1920 or so - and despite mostly sounding like a posh southerner I have traces of Lancastrian that pop out every so often, causing a few stares as if I've exposed myself. Normally it's either when I say 'I'm sat down here...' or variants thereof, or when I pronounce 'us' as 'uz'. Listening to Lancastrian accents always gives me a sense of peace!
Isn't it funny the things that pop up as little anomalies? I've noticed my son goes surprisingly Sarf East when he says, "no".
I love everything to do with the british class structure and have spend about 100 hours studying it.
I live in florida. Its just a mash here. Everyone together in the gator swamps.
People are very friendly. When poms come over her they cant believe it.
Ever been over to the US?
I've never been, but would love to visit. It's always been on my list, but I'd want to spend at least a month to ho around a few places. Florida sounds fascinating, although I'd be terrified of the alligators. As an English woman, having genuinely dangerous wild animals is a very strange concept. We've just got sheep.
I found this a really well written and interesting read having a somewhat diffuse and similar background in terms of accent and class.
It was strange going from being called posh at school to my genuinely posh uni friends pointing out what was to them an occasional West Country twang.
I actually quite like that balance now.
Oh, I do like a West Country twang. I suppose one of the joys of meeting a wide range of people is that you get those different responses. And I do like hearing different accents, as much as I might make fun of them all (including my own, of course).
"The fact is that we form an instant impression of somebody based on their appearance, manner of speaking, and general demeanour."
Someone's trying to get nicked... Great piece. Bravo.
Thank you! I'm hoping not to get arrested just yet, although I think we may all get a turn at that before the next five years is up. An update on the idea that everyone will get their fifteen minutes of fame. Now we all get our fifteen months in a cell.
Pretty sure my teenage nickname was 'Section 5.' Good times had by all.
Georgia, I honestly love reading whatever you have to say, about virtually anything. I'm sure if I could hear your accent in my head while reading those written words, I would be even more enthralled. I am an Amercian, so I'm fairly clueless when it comes to knowing the regions of the U.K. and what they're known for, how they differ societally, economically and so forth. However, here in the States, I can definitely relate to perceptions and conclusions that are made about people based on accents. Not sure if you've ever been over here but there is a plethora of regional accents available in the U.S. So different, so recognizable and unfortunately all of them come with a preconceived notion of who people really are based on how they talk. Thanks again for a wonderful, entertaining post. - Jim
Thank you, but I don't think I should inflict my slightly reedy, wonky voice on my subscribers! I love the range of American accents too. I have a particular soft spot for the Southern accents, I tend to like them best. Musical voices.