Do regional accents hold you back?

Question

Have you ever been discriminated against because of your accent or the way you talk?

Answer 1

Yes I think it can. A very strong Liverpool/Merseyside accent gives the impression that you are thick, a thief or just plain lazy.
You only have to see some of the comments here about Liverpool. here is a computer game "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" various answers can be given one of which is in Liverpool accent. people do not use that one because she is deemed thick but her answers are usually right.

I my self speak with a fairly mild Liverpool accent people from the South think I come from somewhere in the North. i have had several unfavourable reactions when they have leaned where I come from.

Please do not misunderstand me it is not A WHINE others have a far worse time of it

Answer 2

Hi Susanna

I am a 51 year old "Essex boy," Na'wt I mean? A bit of a Chav. I have; what's charmingly called, an estuarine accent. I'm sure I have been discriminated against, most likely since birth. I used to let it flow over my head at one time but not now.

The fact that I come from a council estate doesn't make me either thick; or illiterate. Let me elucidate...

It is reasonable to imply, that an authority that elicits talent only by choice of the vocal accent of they who bear it will justly be reaping the seeds of they're own disgrace. Accent only implies intellect, it does not bestow it.

I can write that sort of sh!t all day long. Collect words, get a vocabulary then you are protected from those who think they are your better, but have a minuscule intelligence. I know that the paragraph above is over the top. its just a sample.

I am in dispute with a London hospital right now over mistreatment that my wife has suffered at the hands of one of their tenants (a shopkeeper). I have written a letter of complaint in support of my wife and I have sent copies to my MP and other parties. I spent 3 hours refining it. Even with my accent they will take me seriously when they meet me because I can write a good letter.

We all take a crap in the morning, even the Queen,but Sh!t will out. No matter what the accent. If you want something and have the skills to get it then fcuk those who will discriminate against you . DISCRIMINATE BACK!!!

Answer 3

It depends on which accentt you have and what it is you want to do.
Some accents can increase a persons chances of success and some hinder.
A broad Glaswegian accent is not usually helpful, but has made some comedians career.
A cockney accent is usually a hindrance, but some actors and singers have made their name by it.
In business a southern accent is often favoured alongside a gentle northern accent.
In top management and government it help to have public school accent.

Answer 4

I don't have a regional accent. People sometimes assume that I come from the South East because I talk 'posh', but I'm actually from the North East. They treat me like a foreigner!

Answer 5

Yeah. I hate my accent. I try not to have it when I talk, then I have try not to sound pretentious as well. It's difficult. I don't know what is worse.
It's better in the US and Australia, where the whole country (more or less) has pretty much the same accent.

Answer 6

I dont think that an accent will hold you back unless you are answering phones and no one can understand you. I've had some phone techs that I couldnt understand because English was their second language. If you use poor grammar or curse, people will have doubts about your intelligence.

Answer 7

o hell particular, being from texas i'm immediately assumed to experience horses and be a hick and consequently no longer understand a damn ingredient approximately modern-day matters, new yorkers to boot as each and all of the recent england territory is seen loud, roudy demanding human beings per their yelling and tone. maximum persons are captivated with the british basically as a results of fact of their accents whilst somewhat i've got no longer got here across many reliable looking british boys.

Answer 8

Yes, they can do. For example, if you have strong west country accent and sound like a farmer you aren't going to get far unless of course, you actually plan to work on a farm.

Answer 9

no never

although i would agree that some people are stereo typed according to their accent. the birmingham accent for example gives the impression of lack of intelligence (no offence to any brummies here)

Answer 10

Various "celebrities" have done extremely well for themselves, and have kept their regional accents.

Cilla Black
Michael Parkinson
Ant & Dec
Lorraine Kelly
Alan Titchmarsh
Paul O'Grady

to name a few