To want my accent back?

[QueenieBob]

I've lived in the West Midlands for over 20 years (I come from Yorkshire, came to Uni here and never went back). My accent has changed over the years, from Yorkshire to 'no man's land' and now I sound more like a local. I'll be honest - the West Midlands accent isn't one of my favourite accents but there's nothing wrong with it. I work with people based all over the country and some people don't know / can't tell that I'm from Yorkshire which makes me sad as I'm very proud of my roots. I just don't sound like me anymore and, short of moving back to Yorkshire, I've no idea how to reclaim my accent. AIBU or should I just accept and move on? I realise this is NOT a huge issue but it's niggling me more and more.

[sandgrown]

I moved from Yorkshire to Lancashire over 30 years ago so.My accent is trans-pennine now. I do find after a visit home my Yorkshire accent is stronger so maybe you just need to visit God's country more often!

[exbrummie]

As my username suggests I'm originally from Birmingham, I moved from there 20 years ago but people tell me, i still have a brummie accent.

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

Don't worry, the tightness with money, the bloody mindedness and the argumentativeness will still mark you out as a daughter of Yorkshire.

[Knackered46]

Nah then sithi! Tha just needs a bit o' practice - thall soon be talking reight...

Nods sagely...

[OnGoldenPond]

I'm originally from Yorkshire, moved away when I was 10 but still got the accent despite 30 years living down in London after uni. Not sure why I kept it when others didn't. I can put on quite a convincing middle class Surrey accent when needed though!

A pity we don't live closer OP we could have met up for coffee and Northern talk!

[OnGoldenPond]

LikeDylan, I prefer "careful "

The others, guilty as charged!

[Knackered46]

Ive been down here longer than I lived in Yorkshire now, and I still have a pronounced Yorkshire accent.

[RedHelenB]

I think a lot of accents will dilute as there is more movement around the country. There are a lot of "London" sounding accents where I am in Yorkshire. Think you will slip back into being broader when you return to Yorkshire though

I wonder if Brummie is the easiest accent to pick up because I was only there a few months and I started with it!

[DiegeticMuch]

Don't worry, you're still a Yorkshirewoman, no matter what you sound like. It's how you feel that counts.

[toffeeboffin]

I've lived abroad for ten years, still have a broad Lancashire accent.

Mate (from Sevenoaks) who lives in Australia sounds like an extra from Neighbours!

Different strokes.

[eddiemairswife]

Over 40 years in the West Midlands. Still have my London accent.

[Mittensonastring]

I moved form the South East to the Midlands over 20 years ago and have not picked up an accent at all. I still get the ooh your posh aren't you.

[suchafuss]

I'm a Yorkshire lass. When I worked in Manchester I developed a Lancashire accent and when I moved to London my accent changed again. Moved back home . and I had the yorkshire back within weeks. You need to go home!

[EyeoftheStorm]

I think you choose to keep it or not. I moved away at 18 and have lived overseas and now down south. 27 years later and it is one of the first things I'm asked about when I meet new people.

I identify strongly as northern - it makes me feel grounded and rooted wherever I am.

[LonestarStateOfMind]

What is a West Midlands accent? Genuine question

[NuggetofPurestGreen]

Does your accent change without you doing it yourself? I don't mean slight inflections or intonation that you pick up from those around you but a full scale changed? I moved away from my home city 19 years ago and still have the same accent. Maybe slightly less strong but still recognisably from there.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

Just put one on...
I sometimes put on one of those sterotype offensive Italian accents on, you know where you add "A" to the end of words and move your arms around..... Sounds like super mario....

Although the longer i do it the more it morphs into sterotype offensive Irish accent....

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

Sort of Mario Geldof father ted type thing....

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

ongolden hence the joke about why you can't buy elasticated waist trousers in Yorkshire

• Yorkshire folk don't like anything that gives.

[Beeziekn33ze]

Lonestar - there are several Midlands accents. Woe betide anyone who confuses Black Country with Birmingham!

[jclm]

You could listen to audio books spoken by peter Kay, Victoria wood etc in the car.

If you're really keen you could go to an accent coach. There are good ones on you tube.

I come from Lancashire and moved away nearly 20 years ago. I live in south Wales now. I still have a strong Lancs accent but I've lived in south Wales for 6 years and am learning some of the accent.

[CatNip2]

Surely audio books spoken by Victoria Wood and Peter Kay are not going to help with a Yorkshire accent?

[MyBreadIsEggy]

I think a change in accent just happens over time without you even noticing.
I was born in Poland, but have lived to and fro between there and the U.K. since I was 5. When I first learned to speak English at primary school, I spoke with a very heavy accent. We always spoke Polish at home (still do!) and English everywhere else - makes me wish my British father had made more of an effort to teach us English from the start . My accent gradually disappeared especially during my high school years. Nowadays I only have a slight accent, and it's only noticeable when I say certain, awkward words. Most people don't realise I'm not a native English speaker until they've got well into a conversation, and even then they can't tell what country I'm from.

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

there are several Midlands accents. Woe betide anyone who confuses Black Country with Birmingham!

They are very different and a Black Country accent and Birmingham accent sound as different as Spanish and Dutch to my ears (I grew up in the West Midlands) and then there's a North Staffs accent which to the uninitiated sounds more Scouse than Midlands. Don't even get me started on those sods in the East Midlands!

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

Can an accent completely vanish?