To not be ashamed of my regional accent?

[ethelfleda]

I’m from the midlands - and you can tell when I speak. I’ve spend a good few years trying to ‘tone it down’ a little.

I’ve also met a lot of people in my new job that speak with completely neutral accents and I’ve been surprised to find out that they’re actually from the Black Country, or Birmingham or Leicester etc. Nearly all of them have said that they’ve toned their accents down either because they’ve been advised to by recruitment agents, or their own family forced them to speak differently from a very young age.
I find this quite sad. Whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong (and actually, a lot right) with an RP or a neutral accent - isn’t variety what makes us interesting? I’ve decided to stop ‘toning down’ my midlands accent and be proud that I don’t pronounce the word ‘laugh’ as though it rhymes with ‘scarf’

Ahhh yes...the dulcet tones on Dr Ian Paisley Ian Paisley is not Irish.
I find some Cork and Kerry accents completely unintelligible Cork not so much it is gentle.
I find it difficult with Kerry Donegal and certain parts of Derry accents those combined with a deep voice makes it hard to work out the conversation.

Ian Paisley is not Irish ? He might not identify as Irish but his accent is the same as people born near to him who do though, surely?

brummie with a now diluted accent as I have lived away from there for a long time but still go the twang I live in Yorkshire now and locals say you don't come from round here when they pick up my native accent and I roudly say no im from Birmingham, everyone should be proud of where their roots are wherever that may be, yes the Brummie accent isn't the prettiest one but its my heritage and im proud of it

It's not right but I think the reality is Black Country and Brummie accents are still stigmatised, disliked, and discriminated against. And that having a strong accent from these reasons is quite likely to damage your career progression. More so than other regional accents.

Brought up in South Northants, but lived in London for 22 years. People I work with think I'm Northern! I think the Northamptonshire accent is quite neutral but with a tiny country inflection at the end of sentences.

My husband is from South London. We gave been together so long now I have adopted some his phrases! But I've noticed that when he's talking to friends and family from the area I cannot follow what he's on about. So yes, he reins it in a bit, talking to me.

I had a meeting with someone from Dudley today and I really struggled to understand a lot of what was said. It was a combination of his pronunciation of certain words and the lightening speed at which they were delivered.

lightning not lightening.

We’re twins ! @Whatisthisfuckery !
I’m just sad that my accent has diminished over the thirty years that “oi’ve leeved dewn seuth!.”
What really saddens me is that absolutely no one I know , knows any ‘Aynuk and Ayli “ jokes .

Broad geordie here, the only thing I do is slow down and speak clearly. Would never ditch it.

Whey aye man!!!!

I find it fascinating that a small nation has such a wide variety of accents.Bi had to tone down my Ayrshire scent and dialect to understood in Glasgow which is 30 minutes drive away.

I had a book of "Aynuk and Ayli" jokes for Christmas.........