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THREAD: 45yrs ago I spent a couple of weeks in St. Tropez. On my return to Paris, a taxi driver asked: "Vous êtes du sud?" (are you from the south?).
"Très sud - Australia!" (Very south - Australia) I replied.
He said I had picked up a southern accent: 'maisong' for 'maison' /2
"Très sud - Australia!" (Very south - Australia) I replied.
He said I had picked up a southern accent: 'maisong' for 'maison' /2
2. 'maintenong' for 'maintenant', etc.
Do we judge people by their regional accents or speech?
A recent survey found that, for UK telemarketers, the most trusted accent was Geordie (Newcastle), replete with unique constructions such as "You're stood here telling me..." /3
Do we judge people by their regional accents or speech?
A recent survey found that, for UK telemarketers, the most trusted accent was Geordie (Newcastle), replete with unique constructions such as "You're stood here telling me..." /3
3. As opposed to: "You're standing there telling me".
The accent is seen as folksy, friendly, not too déclassé.
Jamie Oliver's Essex accent (and especially that of 'orange' Essex girls), as well as East End accents, are seen as 'lower class' by middle and upper classes /4
The accent is seen as folksy, friendly, not too déclassé.
Jamie Oliver's Essex accent (and especially that of 'orange' Essex girls), as well as East End accents, are seen as 'lower class' by middle and upper classes /4
4. It is notable for the 'glottal stop' (a 'swallowing' of hard consonants like the letter 't'). 'Butter' becomes 'buh-uh', 'initiative' becomes 'in-ish-ee-uh-iv'.
The 'Dirty Sarf' (South London) is seen as more déclassé, with the now meaningless 'innit' common: /5
The 'Dirty Sarf' (South London) is seen as more déclassé, with the now meaningless 'innit' common: /5
5. "I'm going to the shops, innit"
Do we discriminate when it comes to accents in Australia?
Both Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke attended Oxford University in UK. The former had an Oxbridge accent; the latter a broad working class one and, as such, was seen as a people's man /6
Do we discriminate when it comes to accents in Australia?
Both Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke attended Oxford University in UK. The former had an Oxbridge accent; the latter a broad working class one and, as such, was seen as a people's man /6
6. Fraser was seen as aloof, perhaps because of his accent, perhaps his body language and awkwardness.
Julia Gillard was criticised for the 'Australianness' of her accent.
All three, despite their differences, became Prime Ministers. /7
Julia Gillard was criticised for the 'Australianness' of her accent.
All three, despite their differences, became Prime Ministers. /7
7. When TV began in Australia, commercial networks first hired American presenters as newsreaders, believing their accents were 'the voice of authority'.
Channel 7&9's Sir Eric Pearce who read the news for 20+yrs to the late 70s had an Oxbridge accent. /8
Channel 7&9's Sir Eric Pearce who read the news for 20+yrs to the late 70s had an Oxbridge accent. /8
8. He was followed on 9 by Brian Naylor (and Henderson in Sydney) who had 'middle-Australian' accents.
Weatherman Tim Bailey has an 'ocker' accent, typified by 'beach' as 'bwoitch', 'pie' as 'pwoi', which many sports reporters share.
Our 'preferred accents' are changing. /9
Weatherman Tim Bailey has an 'ocker' accent, typified by 'beach' as 'bwoitch', 'pie' as 'pwoi', which many sports reporters share.
Our 'preferred accents' are changing. /9
9. Australians' egalitarian nature has seen 'formal' accents in everyday life, such as Sir Robert Menzies, shift to more everyday accents in our everyday lives.
Will we ever see full-on bogan accents on TV or in politics? Quite possibly as the voice of a nation changes.
Will we ever see full-on bogan accents on TV or in politics? Quite possibly as the voice of a nation changes.
