Why do some people talk posh on the phone?

[poppet2 13]

I do not understand what you mean?I think my sons are very clear spakers,sound Yorkshire but go to a local comprehensive.Why bring in the private sector?Do they speak a different language at such schools?

 

My question was in response to qnvqsos post re. McMillan.

David Blunkett and other MP's are examples of retaining their local accents.

[Agent Orange 11]

My question was in response to qnvqsos post re. McMillan.

David Blunkett and other MP's are examples of retaining their local accents.

 

Yes, they have retained their accent, but have done away with the "slang".

[poppet2 13]

Yes, they have retained their accent, but have done away with the "slang".

 

What slang?

[fruitisbad 10]

I speak posh in front of me nan so she thinks I'm a polite well mannered young man. I'm me the rest of the time hth

[Agent Orange 11]

What slang?

 

If you refer back to the OP, there is a quotation using slang. There's a difference between accent and the use of slang. I think the OP is mixing the two up.

 

I talk with a Yorkshire accent, however, I have been brought up to speak correctly, not using lazy slang phrases. I don't see this as posh.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Agent Orange

[Murphy Jnr 10]

If you refer back to the OP, there is a quotation using slang. There's a difference between accent and the use of slang. I think the OP is mixing the two up.

 

I talk with a Yorkshire accent, however, I have been brought up to speak correctly, not using lazy slang phrases. I don't see this as posh.

 

Agree wholeheartedly with this. Accents are a rich part of our heritage, colourful and many almost force you to listen to them.

No one is asking for them to be hidden away or disguised in general but to unfamiliar ears they make understanding very difficult so it's common sense that they be softened in environments where clarity is important.

Personally I think English as a language is beautiful and with so many countries speaking it with their own twang makes it more so.

What I find slightly annoying are people that write how they speak. When did it become acceptable to write so poorly, it's common even on SF, when for example did 'a lot' become alot, in fact reduced to 'infact.'

[Mecky 10]

My friend is from Sheffield, he was born and bred here and lived here for 35 years. About 12 years ago he went to live in Switzerland and comes back to see his parents at Christmas. This year he asked why is Sheffield full of cockneys?

[gnvqsos 10]

I wasn't privately educated nor attended an elite college or university, however, I was brought up to speak correctly. In my opinion, you don't have to sacrifice your accent in favour of talking correctly.

 

You are so right-lazy speech is insulting to the recipient.

[poppet2 13]

I have a confession to make.

[Cyclone 10]

You are so right-lazy speech is insulting to the recipient.

 

Much like lazy writing.

[Cyclone 10]

I contend that people with broad accents tend to try to "lighten" them a little , when they are attempting to be posh.

 

That's your contention, but is there actually any evidence that speaking with a less pronounced accent is an attempt to be posh? Or is that just the way you perceive things?

[Mecky 10]

There seems to be a fashion of people pronouncing the sound H in words that just shouldn't be there.