The British Library The British Library http://sounds.bl.uk/JISC ASR IPR STATUS LIST.xls Conversation in Tregaron about accent, dialect and attitudes to language. C1190/41/21 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 friends from Tregaron. [00:00:00] Speakers introduce themselves, mention where they have lived/their occupation. Discussion about their own accent, hearing their voice for first time. [At [00:03:40] recording repeats for 43 seconds.] Attitudes towards Welsh accent, other peoples reactions to Welsh accent/language. Comment that it annoys him when Welsh people put on an English accent, mention why they do this. Mention incorrect way that some people pronounce Tregaron. Discussion about their use of Welsh language, anecdotes about other peoples ignorance of existence of Welsh language, portrayal of Welsh people in media. Comment that Huw Edwards (Welsh newsreader) doesnt have Welsh accent when he reads the news. Remark at incorrect pronunciation of Welsh place names on national news.[00:11:04] Discussion about changing accent to aid communication, anecdotes about their Welsh accent/language not being understood. Discussion about how Welsh language/accent varies across Wales/local area. Attitudes towards regional accents, which accent they would like to have, difficulty at understanding other accents, telephone voice, what would be lost if regional accents disappeared.[00:20:49] Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS. Discussion about differences in the speech of different generations, influencing their grandchildrens speech. Mention words used to mean childs soft shoes worn for physical education.[00:24:04] Discussion about use of swear words and attitudes towards swearing, influence of television. Comment that young people swear too much. Discussion about how speech of young people and topics they talk about has changed over time, how society has become more free over time for example women going into pubs, eating meals/talking with family, going to church.[00:28:59] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING. Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS.[00:29:54] Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS.[00:31:06] Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES. Comment that they usually speak and think in Welsh so it was difficult to think of alternative English words for the spidergram. Continuation of discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS.[00:32:58] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS. Mention words used to mean pregnant.[00:34:10] Comment that Welsh jokes dont translate very well into English. Speakers re-introduce themselves. Discussion about changing speech in different situations/when talking to different people, how they would speak if they read the news, changing their voice when speaking in public, how to speak when giving prayer/reading hymn in local church/chapel. Anecdote about hearing own voice on radio. Mention people finding it amusing when her son spoke Welsh in New Zealand. Discussion about other people judging them on their speech. Anecdote about hearing local people talking about her when she first moved there from England because they thought she didnt understand Welsh. 2005-03-22 Tregaron, Ceredigion sound Davies, Marian, 1948 Dec. 04- (speaker, female) Evans, Nerys Ann, 1977 June 27- (speaker, female) Hughes, Catherine, 1959 April 08- (speaker, female) Hughes, Susannah, 1973 Jan. 07- (speaker, female) Williams, Hefin, 1952 July 07- (speaker, male) Morgan, Anita, 1932 August 06- (speaker, female) Radio Wales 00:46:37