'public school accent'

Posted by Word Camel on September 22, 2004

In Reply to: 'public school accent' posted by James Briggs on September 22, 2004

: : The accent of one who has been through the elite school system in the UK is distinctive. The question is -- how can this accent replace the original accent of boys from all over the country who presumably have developed their speech patterns when they get to school?

: This accent is fairly rapidly disappearing from British, especially English, society. You only have to hear either Princes Harry or William to hear how current Public School characters speak - very much like lots of other people with what has come to be called 'BBC English'. However, this is changing too, with many regional accents to be heard.
: Presumably the children do inherit their speeech patterns from their childhoods, but many are influenced by radio and TV programmes - see above.

Funnily enough, I've heard quite a few people with public school accents adjusting theirs to sound more common. Accents are more fluid than GB Shaw would have had us believe.

• Recieved Pronunciation Ward 22/September/04
  • Received wisdom Henry 22/September/04
    • Received wisdom TheFallen 22/September/04
      • Received wisdom Lotg (Okker accent) 23/September/04
        • Sean Connery and I - Outed! Lewis 23/September/04
          • Not only a European/Australian thing Bookworm 23/September/04
            • Accent reduction? Lewis 23/September/04
              • Oooh, does that hurt? Lotg 24/September/04