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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

mortified - someone at work said i

141 replies

EnlightenedOwl · 02/04/2015 19:34

talk "rough"
i have a strong accent - think Lancashire x Yorkshire and confess the odd "t" has been dropped but do have an immaculate phone voice
No one else has mentioned my accent but this person who I've worked with a while often makes reference to it saying they can't understand me etc
However to say I talk rough is an all time low.
Anyone else ever felt mortified by their accent?

OP posts:
base9 · 02/04/2015 20:12

I would make an effort to speak to her in a totally incoherent 'rough' voice, but naturally to everyone else. I am not originally from the UK and find all the accents fascinating. Yorkshire is a particular favourite of mine. It still shocks me how much accent matters to a sad minority of Brits who view their own 'posher' accents as somehow of ethical value. Cuz they don't sound 'posh' to me- I hear an accent but it doesn't have any class implications for me- I often don't know where it's from. I have a friend with an apparently very 'rough' Welsh accent- I think it sounds gorgeous. I don't understand where all these value judgements come from!

KatieKaye · 02/04/2015 20:14

I think it's incredibly rude to comment on negatively people's accents, whether you are judging them to be "too posh" or "too common", or "too regional".

talking is a form of communication - and as long as people understand what you say, then any problem lies solely with the person who is "judging" you.

Andro · 02/04/2015 20:56

Saying you talk rough is very rude, letting you know (politely and in private) that she is having difficulty understanding you is fine (if genuine and not just picking).

Fluffyears · 02/04/2015 21:21

I've always been considered well spoken but I do have a very strong scottish accent. When I was in London one colleague said she couldn't make me out it was 'just noise with 'aye' through it' I just laughed.

irishamy89 · 02/04/2015 21:23

Your colleague just sounds rude.
It would have been fine for her to say she was having difficulty understanding you or asking 'where is your accent from?' in a nice inquisitive way.
My accent is always being commented on and heard differently by different people.
Some people think it's obvious that I have an Irish accent but others think I'm English, Scottish, Eastern European, American or Canadian.! Grin

Vitamints · 02/04/2015 21:25

Just make sure when you're talking to her, you say the word "couldn't" in the broadest possible South Yorkshire you can manage.

Hint for the uninitiated: it comes out "cunt". Wink

Caoimhe1922 · 02/04/2015 21:32

I'm from Manchester and complete with accent. I was once asked if I was aware how much everyone looked down on me. I should have twatted the stuck up haridan

Original poster
EnlightenedOwl · 02/04/2015 21:33

I must admit since she made the comment my accent has been considerably broader this afternoon...

OP posts:
ChrisQuean · 02/04/2015 21:37

I'd tell them to "Get Tae Fuck" in my best Glaswegian accent.

Corygal · 02/04/2015 21:38

Well done. I spent my youth being tormented for speaking posh. It's so personal, mocking an accent, isn't it. It's not my fault - my mum and I both talk proper posh, the rest of us are pretty unremarkable.

Tell the rude cow to 'Shit orf' from me (mum's favourite way of trying to talk Landan.)

WorraLiberty · 02/04/2015 21:42

I love accents and find them fascinating.

It's amazing how some accents are instantly soothing to me, some make me trust that person even though they're a complete stranger (every telesales person's dream!) and some make me think of comedy even when they're being completely serious.

Oh and I (apparently) sound like Pauline Quirke from Birds of a Feather, on the phone Shock

Rainbunny · 02/04/2015 21:43

I have a very boring home counties "non-accent" which my northern English parents were at great pains to develop in me as a child. Now living in the USA and people have actually accused me of lying about being English as I don't sound how they think English people should sound. Either a strong East London/Essex accent or the Royal Family apparently are the only two English accents known over here.

That said, everyone I know here LOVES the northern English accents on Game of Thrones, Oh the irony! At least I can fake a decent Lancashire accent ;)

lordsquidgy2013 · 02/04/2015 21:45

Every time someone tries to get at my accent, it gets thicker. Right to the point where they can't understand a word I say. Do that a few times to the arsehole; it will soon piss him off.... Grin

EBearhug · 02/04/2015 21:46

If people tell me I have an accent, I just go really thick Dorset and chuck in some dialect words to point out I'm usually making some effort. Occasionally, people have thought I'm thick because of my accent. Bad luck on them for making stupid assumptions.

wheresthelight · 02/04/2015 21:49

I was born in south London and was brought up in North London. when my parents moved us to Hampshire I was bullied for being Common. they then moved us again a few years later to the derbyshire/Yorkshire border and I was largely shunned at school for being posh (laughable as I have a very noticeable cockney-esk twang) so I really couldn't won!

I have also been disciplined in a previous work place for referring to a customer as darlin when they allowed those from the local area to call customers "duck" needless to say I took them to task and won Grin

your colleague is an arse and tbh I would just ignore their comments as they will be making themselves look like a right plonker but if you do feel the need to say something can I suggest looking online for a Yorkshire to English dictionary and offer it to them as a translator Grin

KatieKaye · 02/04/2015 22:10

I love the different accents and language variations we have in the UK.

What is wrong with having an Orcadian/Cumbrian etc accent? to me it shows your personal history.

Lover/darling/duck/hen - different words but they all mean the same thing. Much more interesting that bland uniformity.

Oh, and no offense, Rainbunny, but only other people from the English Home Counties would think you had a "non-accent". I'm pretty sure you'd sound like you have a very particular accent to me - and I know I have a fairly typical Edinburgh accent with tinges of Miss Jean Brodie.

Rainbunny · 02/04/2015 22:24

Katie - I mean I have a "non-accent" in the opinions of a surprisingly large number of people I encounter here in the USA. I would expect a British person to be able to guess with some accuracy where I am from within a few minutes of meeting me if you know what I mean.

Rainbunny · 02/04/2015 22:26

TBH though I do think my home counties accent is very very bland and boring!

ResurrectAndEatShitChoc · 02/04/2015 22:29

Obviously is the Lancs but that makes you sound tough Wink

Leeds las here and I do sound pretty rough. I even type rough Grin

Fuck 'em

Chesntoots · 02/04/2015 22:30

I'm a Yorkshire Lass and in general conversation don't have much of an accent. I'm in my 40's and I think when I was young my mum and dad were concerned that having a strong accent would hold me back. I don't think it matters so much now. Neither of them have an accent despite one being Yorks and one Notts.

When I worked it the local pub my accent broadened quite a lot and it still does, but in my current job very few people can place it.

I love accents but what really annoys me is when "Northern" equals poor, downtrodden working class. That voiceover at the end of the advert for pensions (the "we're all in" one) drives me nuts. Yup coz the only job thick northerners would have is a manual job with no pension (NOT slating manual jobs - I've had them). I am aware that it might just be my perception though! Hope that didn't insult anyone...

ResurrectAndEatShitChoc · 02/04/2015 22:32

Sound rough**

Why do iPhones change perfectly fine words t others?!

JulyKit · 02/04/2015 22:36

A couple of times I've met very plummy voiced, ex-public school types who thought I was talking in a comedy West Country/'Worzels' accent, which they found hil-ah-ri-arse.

I wasn't putting on any accent at all. I was talking how I talk.

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 02/04/2015 22:37

West Country accent here.

I sound like a pirate.

Only person who ever commented negatively was SiL and I'd feel self concious around her. Don't see her now so it's not an issue.

Happy36 · 02/04/2015 22:40

Show your class by rising above their rudeness. Ignore. If they say it again consider reporting them for bullying.

minimumeffort · 02/04/2015 22:49

Well at least you sound more intelligent than them...

www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/apr/04/6