Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have asked him to talk properly around DS?

137 replies

CujoOn · 27/05/2025 15:10

DH has a strong “old Yorkshire” accent and says some words that drive me up the wall. But it matters more now as DS is starting to say these words and I don’t want him talking like this. It’s not snobby - I too have a Yorkshire accent but these words are so old fashioned that literally nobody says them anymore.

DS asked me this morning if we could go to park to feed the bods for example.

Another time he told me he’d seen Osses with dad. He’s already saying things like “I don’t right know” and “hey up”. In fact “hey up” is starting to become his greeting rather than hello. Even hi would be better. People laugh because it’s cute but when he gets to school kids can be cruel (or “wrong ‘uns” as DH would say).

I have asked DH to start talking properly and he thinks I’m being a snob. AIBU to want my kid to talk properly?

OP posts:
LittleBitofBread · 27/05/2025 16:04

PorgyandBess · 27/05/2025 15:53

I’m with you. An accent is one thing, but speaking incorrectly would drive me nuts.

Can you explain what's incorrect in the examples of the OP gives?

LadyMary50 · 27/05/2025 16:03

I too like a regional accent but not when it’s deliberately exaggerated.My husband is originally from East Anglia(the fens).whenever we have visitors he exaggerates his accent to ridiculous proportions and it drives me nuts.BTW none of his family ,sister,mother speak like this even though they were brought up together.He says “hoss,(horse)hairple(apple).He sounds like the bloody singing postman😂😂

Caerulea · 27/05/2025 16:03

You're being a snob, yes. Regional accents are precious & should be protected.

CornedBeef451 · 27/05/2025 16:02

Its a difficult one but I have tried to prevent my DCs having a strong Black Country accent.

I think speaking in a dialect can affect job prospects and how people see you generally. One of my nieces can code switch between standard English with an accent and the local dialect, but her sisters can’t and it does cause problems sometimes.

Clockpic · 27/05/2025 16:02

FrazzledHippy · 27/05/2025 15:58

I have to say YABU. We're born and bred in Yorkshire and round here, if you don't know the lingo or understand a broad Yorkshire accent you're going to spend much of your days confused.

My Dad moved to Sheffield (where to my ear, having Yorkshire GPs, the accent isn't that broad) from Kent, as a young man and reckons he stood in a bus queue and couldn't understand a word, as if he was in a foreign country.

Needmorelego · 27/05/2025 16:01

If we didn't have local dialect/slang how would we have the Great British Bread Roll Debate?

To have asked him to talk properly around DS?
faerietales · 27/05/2025 16:00

PorgyandBess · 27/05/2025 15:53

I’m with you. An accent is one thing, but speaking incorrectly would drive me nuts.

It's not incorrect, it's local dialect.

WhereYouLeftIt · 27/05/2025 16:00

"I have asked DH to start talking properly and he thinks I’m being a snob."
The fact that you call it 'talking properly' is a bit of a giveaway. So yes, there is some snobbery in there.

So you're worried about your son being teased when he gets to school if he speaks local dialect? Have you considered the alternative scenario - that he may be teased if he 'talks posh'? There is absolutely no way to predict which way the future will go.

I would suggest you relax a bit about dialect / accent. Everyone speaks in multiple ways depending on who they are speaking to. Their mates, their teacher, their grandmother. We all do it. Your son will too. He'll pick up his dad's way of speaking, and he'll pick up your way of speaking; and he'll be able to do both, depending on which he subconsciously considers appropriate to his situation.

So - it'll be fine. Don't worry.

Cherrysoup · 27/05/2025 15:58

Are you in Yorkshire? I think that’s important. One of my cousins has a very strong regional accent, he’s a teacher. It does strike me as odd. When I was first teaching, it was in a different area to mine and the kids quickly corrected my pronunciation. I know when we move I’ll find the regional accent interesting and the students will think I’m well spoken. I’ve just had the corners knocked off my original accent by living abroad etc.

FrazzledHippy · 27/05/2025 15:58

I have to say YABU. We're born and bred in Yorkshire and round here, if you don't know the lingo or understand a broad Yorkshire accent you're going to spend much of your days confused.

OhCalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 27/05/2025 15:57

You’ll miss these days when your son is either responding with grunts or talking patois.

Needmorelego · 27/05/2025 15:57

I love regional accents and slang.
It makes life interesting.

Clockpic · 27/05/2025 15:54

In fact “hey up” is starting to become his greeting rather than hello. Even hi would be better.

"Even" hi? What's wrong with hi?

Memorable · 27/05/2025 15:53

I think it’s brilliant and love hearing accents. There are so many in the U.K. we should treasure them

PorgyandBess · 27/05/2025 15:53

I’m with you. An accent is one thing, but speaking incorrectly would drive me nuts.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 15:51

You are dead right OP. What he should have done was said to your son "what ho young chap. Would you kindly accompany me to the park whereby we can throw some seed for our feathered friends?". And maybe added a couple of "harrumphs" in for good measures.

faerietales · 27/05/2025 15:45

He is talking properly, it's just not in the same way as you.

ThejoyofNC · 27/05/2025 15:43

Wow. The fact you're even using the phrase "talk properly" shows exactly what you think. Why should your child only be allowed to talk like one of his parents? And who said your accent is "proper", anyway?

toomuchfaff · 27/05/2025 15:41

OP looking to make their DC into the 2025 version of Eliza Doolittle ... (My Fair Lady)

YABU

cannynotsay · 27/05/2025 15:39

Snobby snob

heffalumpwoozle · 27/05/2025 15:33

"It’s not snobby"

Yes, it is. You are embarrassed by your DH's accent and are insisting that he's not talking "properly".

He is speaking in the way which is natural to him and represents the area he is from.

Honestly OP, why did you marry him if you look down on the way he speaks?

He's not swearing or saying anything offensive. He just speaks in a different way to you, and you are telling him that is wrong and not something that he should do in front of your child, in case it rubs off on him.

In what way can you possibly argue that this is not "snobby"? It's really unpleasant and I feel sorry for your DH if this is how you see him. You should probably have married someone with an RP accent if it bothers you this much.

AnnaL94 · 27/05/2025 15:31

Reyt.

Am from Yorkshire and a’ think thas bein’ propper chuffin unreasonable ‘ere me owd.

Tell thi fella ‘Ey Up from me.

Clockpic · 27/05/2025 15:30

Oh no, no. In fact I'd take the opposite view and say these dialects especially one as gorgeous as Yorkshire need protecting.

SootherSue · 27/05/2025 15:28

CountryQueen · 27/05/2025 15:25

Innit bruv

Show quote history

Damn, you got there first! 😂

summerscomingsoon · 27/05/2025 15:27

Eee chuck nowt wrong wi a yarkshire accent

Swipe left for the next trending thread