BBC Voices

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

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    01:14:50

  • Shelf mark

    C1190/42/03

  • Recording date

    2005

  • Is part of (Collection)

    BBC Voices Recordings

  • Recording locations

    London

  • Interviewees

    Gheerawo, Subhagiwatie, 1977 July 28- (speaker, female, interviewee), Gheerawo, Rama, 1975 April 19- (speaker, male), Sankar, Ramsarran, 1933 Dec. 03- (speaker, male), Singh, Deonarine, (speaker, male)

  • Interviewers

    Maistry, Devan, (speaker, male)

  • Producers

    Asian Network

  • Abstract

    [00:00:00] Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS. Mention polite way to ask for something in Guyanese. [00:09:28] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS. [00:12:50] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING. Mention words used for various items of clothing. [00:17:28] Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES. Anecdote about crazy person in Guyana. [00:26:24] Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS. [00:31:11] Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS. [00:36:10] Discussion about language and identity, Guyanese Creole, West Indian/Caribbean words/phrases used in London, nicknames for people. Languages they speak, when they would use them, anecdotes about people speaking Creolese. Explanation of Creolese words/phrases, some of them with no direct English translation, Hindi/Indian words. Discussion about Indian people who went to South Africa/Guyana. [00:50:57] Discussion about their ethnic identity, the term ‘British Asian’, being “bicultural”, their connection with India, Sanskrit language, music and identity. Reasons why Indian traditions were preserved well in Guyana, identifying as British Hindu Caribbean, Guyanese community in London. [01:07:43] Continuation of discussion about Guyanese community in London, how they responded to flooding in Guyana, politics of race in Guyana. [01:12:14] Explanation of Guyanese sayings/proverbs. Mention being told ghost stories as a child.

  • Description

    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 professionals with Guyanese backgrounds.

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

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