I’ve just read an article on the Birmingham Post about yet another survey that states the Brummie accent is one of the most disliked in the country. Only 1% of the country would choose a Brummie accent by choice and 80% of Brummies wish they didn’t have the accent.
I too spent my birthday celebrations over the weekend (the big 3 oh if you’re interested) being teased that my future child will be brought up with a Brummie accent - and this from Somerset locals! Ooo arr!
Now I don’t personally dislike the Brummie accent however the image associated with it throughout the UK certainly isn’t one that gives you a head start in life.
Is it just the accent or is the accent associated with the image of old Birmingham?
Repeat after me “The rain in spain falls mainly on the plain…”
Funnily enough, I read a book recently by David Crystal that said if you play different accents for non-native speakers, the brummie accent is picked out as one of the most pleasant to listen to.
horrible, isn’t it, that such things can affect a child’s start in life?