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AIBU?

AIBU to think that I need to start a thread about the Birmingham dialect?

207 replies

threeelephants · 12/03/2018 21:50

I'm so annoyed lately at all of the threads belittling my accent/dialect. I'd like to describe it as snobbery but I actually feel it goes beyond that.

In Birmingham we say mom, not mum. It has been this way for at least a hundred years. It is not 'Amercanism', in fact it was us who took the word over there. Mum is a slang word, it isn't 'the correct term' in anyway-if you want to have a dig at me saying mom then you'd better be calling yours mother!

We eat nougat and pronounce it nugat (not nugget, like some of you seem to think). We also eat marshmellows...tbh I'd never noticed there was supposed to be an a in there!

We pronounce tooth with the shorter oo sound (like in book, look, foot etc).

We are not uneducated, nor are we all bloody working class!

And while we're here, dinner is a hot meal, doesn't matter what time of day you eat it, lunch is a cold meal in the middle of the day, tea is a simple meal at the end of the day and supper is a biscuit before bed.

The Birmingham accent/dialect is the closest in existence to how Chaucer/Shakespeare would have spoken. Which makes us more correct than most of you.

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DalekDalekDalek · 12/03/2018 21:52

How does speaking like Chaucer or Shakespeare make the Birmingham accent more correct that every other accent in the UK? You sound like you are being just as snobby as you are accusing others of being!

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KarmaStar · 12/03/2018 21:55

What are you actually wanting here OP?

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Greyponcho · 12/03/2018 21:56

I can just imaging Shakespeare saying “y’alllrite? Moy naymes Willyum”
That’s made me smile 😊
(Lived in Brum for a year, friendly city)

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TheQueenOfWands · 12/03/2018 21:58

I like the Birmingham accent. My cousins live there and after a day I find myself adopting it.

Accents make people sound more interesting. I have a strong Zummerzet accent and I'm very proud of it. I sound like a pirate, it's awesome!

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threeelephants · 12/03/2018 21:59

I'm wanting people to stop belittling my accent/dialect. There's been 3 or 4 threads in the last few days.

And in talking about historical correctness, which seems important to the posters that are screeching about mom being a modern American import.

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DontDrinkDontSmoke · 12/03/2018 21:59

I love a Brummie accent.

It’s beautifully drawn out (to my Scottish ears). Your phone bills must have been huge back in the pay by the minute days.

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feral · 12/03/2018 22:00

I'm a Brummy and the only thing you have correct in this post is the mom thing, though I would still spell it mum.

What's wrong with being working class? I'm pretty sure a lot of Brummies are!

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ParadiseCity · 12/03/2018 22:00

Keep on Brumming. Life would be dull if we all spoke the same. Words and dialects are fascinating to me.

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threeelephants · 12/03/2018 22:01

Lol dontdrink...that made me smile! Actually lots of us are of Irish descent, so we talk at 100 mph when chatting to family/friends!

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VioletteValentia · 12/03/2018 22:02

I’m a brummie lass and I don’t say “tuth”.

But yeah, I agree with you OP

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GetOrfMyBin · 12/03/2018 22:03

Greyponcho thank you for making me giggle Grin

Fwiw I like the Brummie accept Smile

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GetOrfMyBin · 12/03/2018 22:04

*accent (autocorrect fail) Blush

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threeelephants · 12/03/2018 22:04

I'm proudly working class, feral, but I'm annoyed at my accent being considered lower class for having an accent.
And I can assure you everything I have written here is correct among almost everyone I know in this area. Dismissing me as incorrect is exactly the kind of snobbery I'm talking about. Talk how you like, and so will I, but don't try to put others down. That's my point.

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ivykaty44 · 12/03/2018 22:05

Love the Birmingham accent

It’s the oldest or one of the oldest dialects in the country

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StripySocksAndDocs · 12/03/2018 22:06

I imagine she want others to realise that aspects of her accent aren't 'wrong'.

Also I'm guessing that the Chaucer or Shakespeare comment stems from repeated comments seem on MN about certain pronunciations being 'wrong'.

The Birmingham accent would be an older language as opposed to the RP accent; which is a young accent. So more the birmingham accent is more original?

That said not sure we know if Chaucer or Shakespeare caslled thier others mom or not...

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StripySocksAndDocs · 12/03/2018 22:07

Well that took me an age to type!!

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WorraLiberty · 12/03/2018 22:08

I love Brummie accents.

For me, they're up there in my list of faves along with Geordie, Scottish and Southern Irish.

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TheWickerWoman · 12/03/2018 22:09

I’m a Brummie and we say ‘mum’ in our family. Not all Brummies say ‘mom’ in fact I’d say ‘mom’ is more Black Country.

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bettinasofine · 12/03/2018 22:10

I like my Glasgow accent (it's not that broad mind you)

It makes me laugh when women find a man's Glasgow accent attractive Grin

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Foxyloxy1plus1 · 12/03/2018 22:11

Why is it snobbery to comment on accents? People do. They comment on Cockney, Yorkshire,Lancashire, Scottish,Welsh, Irish etc.

People will find some of them pleasant to the ear and some not so much. If anything, I think Yorks and Lancs accents attract more prejudice..

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missyB1 · 12/03/2018 22:12

Totally agree OP, the snobbery about accents and regional dialect on here is ridiculous. I love to hear the Brummie accent and also the Stoke one, brings back happy childhood memories.

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ivykaty44 · 12/03/2018 22:13

Shakespeare was from Stratford - not Birmingham

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threeelephants · 12/03/2018 22:13

It's not snobbery to comment, foxy. It's what's in the comments that's annoying me.
Stripysocks has explained my position perfectly, thank you.

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Luckymummy22 · 12/03/2018 22:14

Not Brum.........
But I lived in Black Country for a few years & used to just nod when my neighbours spoke to me 😂

I don’t really mind the Brummie accent - i’m used to it now

Really hate ‘Mom’ though. I’ll make sure i’m Mum to my kids.

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threeelephants · 12/03/2018 22:14

I know that ivykaty.

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