I may have to reign in my vowels sometimes, but there’s no mistaking the fact I’m a Geordie lass (though for the pedants out there, I’m actually from Chester-le-Street, in County Durham). Even if you forget the ‘Cheryl Cole’ effect that has sexed up the Geordie accent, we have long been thought of as warm and honest, salt-of-the-earth, friendly types.
In all areas of my life, this has its advantages. Living in Bristol, my accent is not just a conversation-opener and ice-breaker, it makes people drop their guard a little. It sealed me my first date with my wife, and even in business it’s an advantage to be seen as approachable, because business is made between people, not companies. Only once in my life have I noticed my accent work against me, but the woman in question was patronising to everyone alike, “bless“.
I’ll be honest: I love accents, every single one. And in the UK, we have many. But I have a confession to make: my favourite of all, is Irish. It’s cheeky, playful and really rather sexy.
The Irish twang– like so many other accents – has been allowed to flourish since Auntie Beeb dropped its predilection for plum vowel sounds. From the Big Brother House, to regional news, and all the inflections in between, we can sample a range nowadays that more accurately represents our diverse Island cultures.
So, do I wish I was Irish? Surprisingly not. Of course, I wouldn’t give up my roots for anything! But when it comes to an impression of high efficiency, slick delivery and people who just generally know what they’re talking about, you’ve got to hand it to the Scottish. How else could Gordon Brown have fooled us so easily? Those tight-lipped vowels and clear consonants, delivered with no time to waste, surely make it the best accent to have on these shores.
Of course, if you disagree, we can always pop doon the local for a pint ana stotty an hev a chat aboot it. Alreet pet?
Traci Rochester
