BBC Voices

Conversation in York about accent, dialect and attitudes to language.

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    01:25:45

  • Shelf mark

    C1190/35/05

  • Recording date

    2004-11-15

  • Is part of (Collection)

    BBC Voices Recordings

  • Recording locations

    York, North Yorkshire

  • Interviewees

    Lee, (speaker, male, student), Nick, (speaker, male, Sarah, (speaker, female, Stacey, (speaker, male

  • Interviewers

    Foster, Neil, 1976 May 23- (speaker, male)

  • Producers

    Radio York

  • Abstract

    [00:00:00] Speakers introduce themselves. Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS. Discussion about attitudes towards Yorkshire accent, attitudes towards Received Pronunciation, influence of school on speech, changing speech when talking to different people.[00:11:00] Discussion about learning different accents for Stagecoach Youth Theatre, whether their accent will help/hinder them in studying drama at university/drama school, assumptions people make about different accents.[00:17:49] Continuation of discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS.[00:21:42] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS.[00:28:03] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING. Words for different types of underwear, connotations of various brand-names.[00:33:10] Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS. Mention ways to differentiate between maternal/paternal grandparents.[00:38:48] Discussion about effect of text language on speech and writing, abbreviations they use; influence of American English on speech; language spoken by different groups of teenagers in local area.[00:46:51] Discussion about influence of media on speech; how accent and vocabulary develops and changes throughout life; words whose meanings have changed over time.[00:54:19] Discussion of attitudes towards and use of swear words; word meanings and connotations changing over time; offensive language; political correctness.[01:06:58] Continuation of discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS. Description of towny/scally/chav, the language they use, anecdote about being followed by one.[01:13:29] Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES.[01:20:20] Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS. Use of rhyming slang. Explanation of various Yorkshire phrases.

  • Description

    BBC warning: this interview contains strong or offensive language throughout. Recording made for BBC Voices project of a conversation guided by a BBC interviewer. The conversation follows a loose structure based on eliciting opinions about accents, dialects, the words we use and people's attitude to language. The four interviewees are all seventeen years old members of Stagecoach Youth Theatre in York and are aiming to have a career in the performing arts.

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Conversation in York about accent, dialect and attitudes to language.

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