The British Library The British Library http://sounds.bl.uk/JISC ASR IPR STATUS LIST.xls Conversation in Duston about accent, dialect and attitudes to language. C1190/25/03 BBC Voices Recordings 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 long-term residents of Duston, a suburb of Northampton and are actively involved in the community. [00:00:00] Speakers introduce themselves. Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS. Mention difference between wet rain and rain.[00:03:25] Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS.[00:05:52] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING.[00:06:50] Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS.[00:08:00] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS. Mention words used to mean kit of tools.[00:09:10] Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES.[00:13:01] Discussion about their own speech, Northamptonshire accent, how accent varies locally, Wellingborough accent. Changing their accent in different situations/when talking to different people, having to change his speech when working in North-East England, how peoples speech changes while in British Army. Discussion about Scottish accent in Corby, other peoples reactions to their accent, local childrens speech, how differences in pronunciation were reflected in their spelling. Comment that in Northampton they are on the south side of the divide between pronouncing bath with a long or a short vowel.[00:23:38] Discussion about local speech, how it has changed over time and varies around Northamptonshire, pronunciation of local place names, accent and class. Anecdote about using local expression at college in North-East England. Discussion about how local speech is changing, judging people on their speech, influence of media/increased communication.[00:31:52] Discussion about changing speech when talking on telephone/when teaching in classroom, correcting childrens speech. Mention uncles pulpit voice as opposed to his farmyard voice. Discussion about aspects of speech that annoy them: adults trying to speak like young people, use of acronyms, colleague talking with Scottish accent when with sister from Scotland.[00:39:37] Discussion about use of swear words and attitudes towards swearing. Anecdote about local football coach swearing profusely on local sports field. Discussion about how language is changing, new words used by young people, media influence on speech, young people swearing. Mention word she used in past that she no longer hears now. Discussion about political correctness, how it changes over time.[00:48:41] Discussion about regional accents they like/dislike/have difficulty understanding. Speakers re-introduce themselves. 2005-03-30 Duston, Northamptonshire sound Carter, David, 1946 March 28- (speaker, male retired teacher) Lovell, John, 1934 Oct. 28- (speaker, male retired) Lovell, Mary, 1941 Oct. 23- (speaker, female) Tyler, Dorothy, 1937 March 27- (speaker, female) Gilder, Willy, 1953 March 06- (speaker, male) Radio Northampton 00:52:18