Exiled reds accents.

If tha frum tarn Park it ovver there

 

People like Brian Blessed or Patrick Stewart seem to really want to hide their Yorkshire roots when they speak - maybe it's the theatrical training, but other actors like Steve Coogan just have very neutral northern accents, which I prefer to hear. I've met the odd person who is determined to never change their accent wherever they go - a couple of Glaswegians spring to mind, no matter how many times people don't understand them. I remember one of them saying, "I'll never change my accent for anyone - I'll speak slower if you can't understand me, but I won't change my accent". I know it's a source of pride for him but it always struck me as just being awkward.

 

Born and bred Barnsley went to live and study in Cambridge in late 80s. The college porters (the blokes in bowler hats who effectively run the show) couldn’t understand a word I said and asked it I had a translator. Called me white stripe owing to Sandal Bayern era reds shirt I always wore.

Never softened my accent and then went off to London to study for the Bar and had exactly same experience.

25 years later, I’m in the North East and have been addressing judges and jury up and down the land in heavily accented manner throughout that time.

Can’t thee and tha it and have to say the (always makes me shudder) but that apart nothing’s changed and have never come close to adopting the local Geordie/Mackem/Smoggie lingo, let alone darn sarf stuff.

 

Work in Dee dah land and mi workmates take piss out of my strong Barnsley accent. ( coits and booits etc.) But once in Southsea on a Portsmouth game weekend away . I ordered drinks at bar and a local said to his mates we’ve got Jimmy tarbuck at bar. Pillock.

 

I have lived in America since 2011 and had to tone down my accent so the natives could understand me, but now people get most of what I say and they love the accent. I do over-pronounce sometimes in my full accent and I teach the locals how to speak. I always greet my work colleagues with Eyup, Arsthadoin. I will never lose mine because people here let me speak how I should, I just needed to slow down the words a little. I am originally from Thurnscoe too, so my accent is a little broad lets say, nothing against the people or place.