The British Library The British Library http://sounds.bl.uk/JISC ASR IPR STATUS LIST.xls Conversation in Risca about accent, dialect and attitudes to language. C1190/41/18 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 five interviewees are all members of The New Harmony Singers group. [00:00:00] Speakers introduce themselves, mention where they have lived/their job and education. Comment that use of Welsh language is on the increase in Breconshire at the moment. Discussion about their own accent, anecdotes about hearing their voice for first time, how their parents influenced their speech. Mention family words used by his father.[00:09:30] Description of growing up bilingual Welsh/English, when she used each language, growing up on farm in Trecastle, living with servants, servant hiring fair. Description of her own accent, changing it in certain situations. Story about having to re-learn Welsh after learning English aged three. Discussion about accent used when singing in English/Welsh. Anecdote about hearing her voice for first time, recitation of Flos Letter.[00:19:48] Discussion about changing speech in different situations/when talking to different people. Anecdote about modifying his speech when working for high-profile company in Bristol, people in Bristols reaction to his Welsh accent/attitudes towards their Bristolian accent. Description of switching between English and Welsh, other peoples reactions to this. Anecdotes about people from outside United Kingdoms reaction to Welsh accent. Comment that she can tell where people are from locally by their accent, it would be dull if there were no accents. Discussion about accents they would/wouldnt like to have.[00:27:09] Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS. Comment that she wouldnt want to pick up words from young people. Mention different meanings of tamping.[00:30:17] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS. Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES. Mention words used to mean hot/cold.[00:33:13] Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS.[00:34:44] Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS. Discussion about use of our/your to prefix names of and terms for family members. Mention local words, word used to mean father. Anecdote about language used by boastful colleague in Llanwern.[00:41:25] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING. Mention use of dap-bag to mean shoe-bag. Stories about the dap used as form of corporal punishment at school. Stories about getting long trousers as opposed to short trousers as young boys. Comment that only recently girls have been allowed to wear trousers to school. Remark that men dont wear hats to funerals anymore, mention different types of hats men used to wear for various occasions/activities.[00:48:06] Discussion about what would be lost if regional accents disappeared. Anecdote about cousin using his Pontypool accent to attract girls on holiday as a teenager.[00:50:04] Discussion about use of swear words and attitudes towards swearing, how this has changed over time, influence of film and television, young people swearing. Comment that people swear more openly now. Anecdote about young colleague swearing frequently without realising it. Mention amusing phrase used by father to describe person behaving above their station. Speakers re-introduce themselves. 2005-02-14 Risca, Gwent sound Edwards, Vera, 1944 June 12- (speaker, female sales advisor) Guy, Pamela, 1950 Dec. 24- (speaker, female civil servant) Lilly, Gwynfa Magdalen Diana, 1953 Dec. 12- (speaker, female interviewee headteacher) Jones, Derek, 1940 Nov. 06- (speaker, male) Powell, Granville, 1943 Feb. 25- (speaker, male) Morgan, Anita, 1932 August 06- (speaker, female) Radio Wales 00:57:12