Do you need an RP accent to "get on" in life?

Do you need an RP accent to "get on" in life?

Ah, the BBC accent-also known as Received Pronunciation. Some may argue it's 'proper', 'standard' English, that you are 'well-spoken' if you demonstrate this particular accent. 

However, would you agree with the statement "It is important that we teach children that, to get on in life, they must speak Standard English with an RP accent"?

A primary school in the West Midlands banned its students from using 'black country slang', causing a small uproar in both the children and parents, who insisted it should be allowed for identity purposes. However, the headteacher insisted that it would 'halt the decline in standards'; it was found that the number of pupils with Key Stage 2 reading had gone up by 7 percent, and children achieving a higher level five in reading has also gone up by 5 percent.

So, does this mean that to thrive academically, you cannot speak with your own accent and slang, subject to where you come from?

From a young age, we are taught all the aspects of Standard English from phonics and vocabulary to grammar and punctuation-but never accent or pronunciation. Whilst I believe it is important to know what is grammatically correct for the sake of education and professionalism, slang from different regions can sometimes contradict these values and so could be deemed as unprofessional-phrases banned in Colley Lane, West Midlands, include "I cor do that" (I can't do that), "gonna" (going to) and "they was" (they were)-here we can clearly identify that this is not your standard RP, but does that mean it shouldn't be used, or are we conforming to one type of language just to seem more lexically elevated than we actually are and taking away our own regional identity to do so? 

It is almost inevitable that by speaking RP, you are going to sound like someone of a higher class, as well as this accent implying a sense of intelligence and being well educated. However, on the other hand, some may argue that whilst you do sound posh, you  may come across as 'stuck up' rather than well educated in this day and age. It seems that Received Pronunciation has lost it's once high prestige and is often viewed as more snobbish than anything else, meaning teaching children to speak that way and conditioning them into something that is not natural to their region is more anachronistic than anything else. Besides, if we teach all children to speak this way, England will lose it's North/South divide and the accents and cultures that come with this. In a sense it could lose each area's identity and diversity.

Conversely, if we do not teach children how to speak eloquently and, in a sense, properly, there is no doubt that employers could be put off by their overwhelming use of slang. The English language changes everyday with new slang words being added into the dictionary; but at the end of the day everything changes with time, and we don't speak like Shakespeare anymore, so whether we like it or not our language will change. However, this does not mean standard grammar has to deteriorate. It is still important to pronounce your T's and not everyone in life is going to let lazy pronunciation slide,

In conclusion, I believe that being British is all about each cultural identity subject to each region and we should revel in the fact that we all have different accents. Whilst standard English should not be forgotten and should be applied to each accent, every area has its own slang and maybe if we were all less prejudiced towards each others own slang and accent then the world would be a less judgemental and more open minded, peaceful place. 

If you can't change it, change the way you think about it!

Taboo Language

Why I really BLOODY love Taboo Language!

Knob. Sh*t. Crap. Son of a b*tch.

Taboo expressions are supposedly words that are considered inappropriate, especially around certain audiences such as children, and all society’s have their own selection. However, as the years progress, these words can either become more offensive and taboo, or less…

 For example, the well known, harsh swear word starting with ‘F’ wasn’t always so frowned upon. It first appeared in the 16^th century and was of Germanic origin, meaning “to strike” or “to move back and forth”. I mean, you can see why people use it as an alternative to “having sex”…right?

It can be used as an infix to emphasise something, for example “abso-f*cking-lutely” as opposed to “absolutely”-see? A much more dramatic effect.

However sometimes words can become less offensive-for example, according to Susie Dent the further South you go, the less crude the word “twat” becomes. I really love that word-there’s just something about it that makes it so RELIEVING to say. However, it’s not even that bad of a word-not even in the top 10 worse swearwords. Perhaps the Northerners need to grow a pair of bollocks.

Another good thing about the use of Taboo words in the English Language is that it actually shows signs of more intelligence despite the stigma that it makes you look thick and cheap. So for all of you out there that were slightly concerned that you had a spot of Tourette’s, this should be a great big mother*cking relief. Students at the University of Rochester quizzed 1000 people about 400 typical behaviours and found a strong like between intelligence and swearing-which makes sense as you must have a more extensive vocabulary.

And for your own entertainment, they also discovered those who are intelligent and swear also tend to walk around the house naked. I’ll let you ponder on that one.

Swearing can also be determined not just by intelligence, but also gender. Once upon a time swearing had a more masculine image, however it is now becoming more gender neutral. According to a survey, women use the f-word 546 times per million words (sh*t) and men use it 540 times. This is a big-ass dramatic change from the 1990’s when men used it 1000 times every million words and women only 167.  I guess becoming more foul-mouthed is one way for women to fight against gender norms. #feminism

But why do I, and most people around me, love swearing so much?

Well, first of all, it releases shitloads of adrenaline. Nothing quite like the excitement of calling someone a fucking c*nt is there? Don’t even try and argue with that. Scientifically proven, bitchessss.

It also relieves pain and releases tension, and it’s been said that words beginning with “f” and ending in “k” tend to be the most satisfying.

And also, it makes you more honest. Who wouldn’t want to have such a likeable quality?

In conclusion, swearing is something that should be celebrated-whether it pumps your adrenaline when exercising, gives you a sense of self motivation or just helps you to release the anger and tension inside of you, why not share it with the world?

Fan-f*cking-tastic.

Britishisms

Crisps or Chips?

Once upon a time Americans would refer to the season between September-November as “Fall”. Depressing, right? Winter, Spring, Summer…FALL. Who really needs to feel more miserable after Summers over? Not us Brits-that’s why it’s called Autumn. Obviously.

Thanks to the rise of Britishisms in America, however, you no longer must feel depressed either, with “Autumn” being one of the top 30 most used Britishisms in America. Isn’t it nice to know you’re finally using correct language? “Marvellous”, I would say. Or, well, you would say-since you’re finally paying attention to British English.

That’s not just the only language breakthrough our friends in the USA are having-even though our language is OBVIOUSLY correct, Americans are finally

beginning to comprehend that not all Brits happen to be posh-and we thank them for their empathy if that’s what encouraged them to finally start speaking correctly! Informal words that are notorious in Britain such as “cheers”, “chav” and “cheeky” are rapidly on the rise in the States.

It’s even been said that Obama used the word gobsmacked. Crikey, can you get more British? They love our language so much they’re even using our slangish expressions. It’s only a matter of time before they conquer some of our biggest British pet peeves such as knowing what’s a crisp/chip and what’s a trunk/boot. We believe in you. We’re all “mates” here aren’t we? Yes, that’s another word they’ve caught on to, too! Impressive.

They also seem to be using words such as “numpty”- whilst we praise you for adapting our words into your language, you should really work out whether you’re waiting “on” or waiting “for” something and realise the proper name for a sidewalk is a pavement. I don’t want to call you hypocritical, but…baby steps…

We’re still waiting on American men to start calling their “pants” trousers, because seriously? Pants? What on Earth do you call your underwear? It’s the little things, guys, come on. On the other hand, though, women have begun calling their “panties” “knickers”- despite it not being one of our biggest pet peeves, it’s a big step to improving what was once a mess of a language. I would say it’s awesome progress, but I’ll settle for “brilliant”; bit more British, don’t you think?

It’s really just amazing really, seeing how two different places speak the same English Language but both have their own twist on how to speak it. Diversity should be celebrated; however, some things are just grammatically incorrect. Don’t say you “could care less” when you’re trying to imply that you don’t care. If you don’t care, then you “couldn’t care less”. Because you are at the bottom of the caring scale, you can’t go any lower. Understood?

To conclude, the Britishisms that the Americans have finally adapted are really for the best. If we are going to loan your words such as “games” instead of “matches”, “cupcakes” instead of “fairy cakes” and “truck” instead of “lorry” then it’s only fair we encourage that you do the same back. We are only learning to polish up our communication with eachother, widening our vocab and learning what is and w3hat isn’t grammatically correct.

Cheers to that!

Rosie-May Bagshaw

Intro

Hello!

My blog is going to be about topical issues in the English Language and my responses to them. So far in English Language we have explored and discussed one of many topical issues of the English Language: Americanisms. In my following post you'll be able to read my written piece covering Americanisms and Britishisms and what I think about them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw

:)