In Britain you can often distinguish a person’s broad socio-economic class (working class versus middle-upper class) from their speech. And the working class accents are viewed more negatively, sadly.
British employers still judge candidates based on their accents
Very true. My ability to sound like an upper-middle-class person has got me out of potentially sticky situations once or twice.
For example driving while well over the limit etc… at a routine police stop, a well modulated “Good evening, officer. Can I help you?” has gotten me waved through a couple of times.
Of course I don’t do that any more…
It’s a common observation that alcoholics/heavy drinkers tend to include in their conversations frequent mentions of drinking/brands of beer/spirits, bars/pubs, etc.
Reminded me of a time when I was in a military on-base club having a few beers. I went up to the bar to order another and the woman bartender was being a bit flirty. I spoke to her a bit and then she says “You have a cute accent. Where in the South are y’all from?” I said “Ummm. . .southeast Alaska.”
Hehe, I would say that Indians have their own version of English that is entirely their own, similar to American English. I wouldn’t call it Hindi, because my Muslim Indian co-workers will often speak it, too. I remember the first time I was told to “Do the needful”. I understood what it meant, but it was an alien enough phrase, my brain kept trying to apply it in different contexts that were obviously idiotic -“Maybe it’s a dance craze. Do The Needful!.”
And I’d say it’s not confined to the military. I have a co-worker that I would have swore was in the military. Nope, he’s been a troop leader in boy scouts for a long time.
We Indians also use “prepone” hehehe…
Meaning…“to move the time or date of a meeting or event forward, making it happen sooner than previously scheduled”.
Opposite of “postpone” haha
I clearly have a southern accent. But I was not born here.
Actually born in Indiana. With its own distinct regionalisms and sound.
My Daddy, long time military was born in Arkansas. You couldn’t tell it by his accent.
I live in a peculiar conclave that has its own
weird sound. You can quite put your finger on it. But it might have a cajun influence.
It’s pauses and then spurts of words spoken quickly. Lots of umms and aaaas(long A)
My Texan sister finds it very hard to take.
She corrects, puts her hand up to stop you and just walks away when she gets overextended on it. She’s kind of a asshole.
Add my stutter and no one ever wants me speaking with words.
Some how I convince myself everyday, these people really do love me 