What do you think of the Birmingham Accent?

Answer 1

Like most people - I think it's quite unattractive. A recent survey showed that accents from the Midlands, Liverpool and Manchester are the accents people find the least trustworthy, where those from Yorkshire, Scotland, and (perhaps surprisingly) London are the most trustworthy. Unfortunately there are regional British accents you can get away with anywhere, and those you can't, and each accent has different connotations. Ever noticed how when they're trying to advertise household products, or appeal to the everyday person, it'll be a Yorkshire accent, or maybe a Scottish one, and when they want to sell you something seen as "sophisticated" or upmarket, they bring out the flat "BBC English" (unnaccented as some would say)? Times change though - 50years ago an Irish accent in Britain would have got you instantly barred from many places, whereas now it's associated with (and used in advertising to denote) someone who's friendly and down-to-earth. Be curious to know what the Brummies think of their own accent, as a lot of people will try to hide an accent if they move elsewhere...

Answer 2

Depends on how heavy it is, and yeah there're even different Brummie accents. My girlfriend (who's parents are from Bangladesh btw) has a fantastic accent, though it's a bit of a mix between Brum and Cheltenham since she went to uni there. I'd say the best accents are the hybrids, I can lay claim to a mixture of accents originating from Oxfordshire, Middlesex, London and Cheltenham, plus I spent so much time in Italy as a kid that probably contributed to it as well (some people say I sound Australian at times, go figure). So to the point, people should get to grips with as many accents as pos, just to see what kind of b*****d hybrid you can come up with!

Answer 3

It doesn't come across as the most intelligent of accents. The Southern accents in general translate poorly to the rest of the world because of an earned southern image created over the last couple hundred years. But don't worry, things are changing. Speak intelligently, with knowledge and clarity (in your accent) and you will be part of the solution.

Answer 4

I love all accents, but I'm partial to a southern accent since I'm southern. I think accents are a great part of who we are-we all have one, but they're all distinctive, and distinguish where we come from. Love the Birmingham accent.

Answer 5

nothing wrong with the birmingham accent, they could say all the other accents in the uk sound strange

Answer 6

Vive la difference with all accents having their charm and all that - but personally, I can't stand the Brummie one (sorry Birmingham!)

Answer 7

I can't think of a worse English accent if I were honest except maybe Cockney.

Answer 8

i don't really notice our accents but compare to americas i kind of like the british accent i hate the american accent the people talk slow when they speak

Answer 9

Difficult

Answer 10

Awful