Accents...Should kids be taught to speak proper?

[Itcouldhavebeenbeetroot]

I have been working (as I am sure loads of you know) with kids on a Shakespeare project. NOW....

Some of the kids have really strong accents - and so cannot be understood by many people - what should be done about this if anything?

Is it enough that they are having the experience? Or should we insist that they learn to tone down their accents?

AND should this be something that could be useful in everyday life - not just in theatre - darling?!

Interested in opinions - no judgements here btw - just raising the question.

3Moss, I don't think exposure to accent always works. I'm English but have lived in Scotland for over 25yrs yet I still can't understand some Scots accents. My best friend and her dh went to the same school - I understand her perfectly, her dh is still often a mystery to me after 20years of knowing them!

I don't have a Scottish accent, either. When I say that I'm based in Scotland (but living in Africa atm) it's usually the first thing people say - 'But you don't have a Scottish accent.'.

evil - so not west country?

I have not read the whole thread.

I come from Dublin, I had electrecution lessons from an early age.

I took part in public speaking competitions and won one or two.

I think I speak relatively well, considering I am married to someone who grew up in Essex and flies out of Ga'wick. His mother was a speech and drama ajudactor so in the main he speaks quite well.
Our DS flies from Gatwick, so I am obviously winning the diction battle.

PMSL at Sherlocks electrocution lessons

Giving an Irish person elocution lessons.

Like teaching a dog to read.

[runs screaming, 'That's for pinching my man, Gordon Ramsay!]

expat

LGJ hums the yellow rose of Texas, whilst trying to decide what retribution she will exact on EPIS.

By the way he is still not home, Noddy must have him tied to the bed. again..........

I hate it when she does that. Doesn't she realise he's better on top?

glass of wine I think you are wrong. Grammar is part of dialect as well. Your DH probably only uses the colloqial "go the shop" in informal situations.

LGJ faints clean away.

beety - am west country! didn't really put my point across very well though

Madora, I agree, it is all about communication. Accents, dialects are necessary - they are part of character, and for God's sake who would want everybody to have the same one???
One thing though expat, did you never hear the fishing interview with a man from the Western Isles??? Ever had a conversation with a Doric speaking Aberdonian? After five years of living in a small west coast village, one man modified his doric Aberdonian so at least you could understand one word in four... My mum's Aberdonian, dh's family are all west coast Scotland, some Isles, but they can all be understood with their accent, and the dialect. That said, my Dad, who is English caught very little of the first few meetings with my Mum's family...
It is a real problem and a great pity when you cannot make yourself understood.

Yes, I watched the whole series of 'Trawlermen'.

To me, it's no less 'intelligible' than ANY heavy regional accent.

Don't really see the problem, personally.

Bozza & 3rdTriMosster - I just don't understand the grammar being dialect argument, but admit I can be a bit of a snob. If you know it's not correct English then why do it? I'm from sarf London - my grammar was a lot worse when I was younger, I no longer say I'm going 'daan Asda's' because I know it's not correct - taking a leaf out of 3rd's book - I say 'what-ho darling - I'm orf to Waitrose'

I love accents though - and think the country would be dull if we all had the same one.

As we're talking about a public performance, yes the children have to be understood by their audience. Otherwise, what's the point.

Whos's the audience going to be? If we're talking about west coast Scottish kids performing to west coast parents (predominantly, fine.

Is the problem a strong accent or is it mumbling?

I don't think an accent needs toned down in a kids' play - but I bet some of them need to speak louder, slower and more clearly.

where in west coountry????

in wiltsheeeeeerre!

aha - i am in somerrset

wiltsheeeere end or doooorrrrset end?

middleish - nearish to barrth