Posted by Peter H on October 19, 2003 at 12:18:04 from 213.122.144.194 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: This has got too far from Ransome posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on October 19, 2003 at 00:35:30:
On the whole I agree with Andrew Craig-Bennett. Long live RP (and Charlotte Green)! However, I think the term 'regional accent' is too simplistic. Many 'regional accents' are pleasant and intelligible because they have developed naturally over hundreds of years before the era of mass communication. James Naughtie's accent is one example, as are the accents of the 'locals' in AR's books. Wilfred Pickles has been mentioned, and he was another example. What I (and others) find harsh and unintelligible are some regional 'urban' accents in the UK - two that come to mind are the modern accents (and grammar) of Liverpool and Newcastle-on-Tyne. And Glasgow also. To make radio programme announcements in thick versions of these accents is just a patronising attempt to be 'right-on' and to connect with 'yoof' culture. There is certainly an element of exclusiveness about these accents - they are not meant to be understood - in some ways they are codes, like teenage slang.