The British Library The British Library http://sounds.bl.uk/JISC ASR IPR STATUS LIST.xls Conversation in Bon-y-maen about accent, dialect and attitudes to language. C1190/41/03 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 six interviewees are all residents of Bon-y-maen and members of St. Margaret's Church. [00:00:00] Speakers introduce themselves, describe their family/jobs/interests. Description of Bettys memories of The Blitz in Swansea during Second World War. Discussion about reactions to hearing their recorded voice, attitudes towards their own accent, other peoples reactions to their speech. Anecdotes about people from outside Wales having positive reactions to their Welsh accents. Comment that she likes London accent because her husband had one, description of husband having to learn Welsh pronunciation of place names when he worked as guard on train.[00:12:28] Discussion about the speech of their children, anecdotes about children retaining Welsh accent even after moving away, how her mother spoke Welsh after moving to Bon-y-maen from London aged two. Discussion about other people making judgements about them because of their accent, other peoples reactions to their accent, whether they would lose their accent, what they would lose if they did. Comment that she recently went back to school to re-learn Welsh because shes so proud to be Welsh and felt ashamed when she couldnt understand people talking. Discussion about which accent they would/wouldnt like to have if they had to change their accent, attitudes towards regional accents. Mention difficulties of communicating with foreign students hosted by Sylvia. How they would feel about moving away from local area, community spirit of area.[00:21:22] Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS.[00:22:58] Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES.[00:24:30] Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS.[00:26:04] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING.[00:26:40] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS.[00:27:28] Mention words used to mean attractive/unattractive/moody.[00:28:08] Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS.[00:30:04] Mention words used to mean running water smaller than a river/to play truant.[00:30:27] Discussion about terms of affection used in Welsh towns, anecdote about being reprimanded for calling customers love when she worked in Marks and Spencer. Discussion about use of swear words and attitudes towards swearing, lack of discipline today, tolerating swearing in youth club they run, children swearing at home. Attitudes towards blasphemy/smutty words. Anecdote about hearing girls swearing on bus. Discussion about where children learn swear words, influence of television/radio/pop music, peer pressure, why young people swear.[00:37:35] Explanation of family/local words and sayings. Anecdote about Spanish man being unable to pronounce Gwynfors name when on holiday in Majorca. Discussion about whether regional accents should be got rid of, reasons for this; attitudes towards learning/speaking Welsh. Comment that they would all like to be able to speak Welsh though not all of them do. Speakers re-introduce themselves. Mention Welsh comedian Gladys Morgan who they think is very funny. 2004-11-23 Bon-y-maen, Swansea sound Arnold, Lynn, 1961 Nov. 14- (speaker, female pharmacy assistant/youth leader) Bailey, Sylvia, 1926 Dec. 31- (speaker, female retired sales assistant) Richards, Edwin Gwynfor, 1939 Dec. 15- (speaker, male interviewee) Richards, Jacqueline 1943 Sept. 19- (speaker, female Smith, Betty, 1931 Dec. 25- (speaker, female retired sales consultant) Stevens, Natalie Louise, 1986 April 19- (speaker, female interviewee student playworker) Morgan, Anita, 1932 August 06- (speaker, female) Radio Wales 00:44:37