How long before we start seeing strong Northern or foreign accented presenters on the news?

Lysander said:
I was just watching BBC News 24 and thinking how nice it is that the presenters all speak clearly with Middle Class accents. But knowing this country, do you think there might be a time - in the interests of equality and diversity - when we start seeing black dreadlocked presenters with heavy Jamaican accents, or working class people with heavy cockney/Northern accents dropping consonents left, right and centre?

Will the BBC - and similar large national institutions - one day adapt to the "multiculturalism" this country enjoys over its airwaves? Or will it always keep two feet firmly on the floor of its own traditions?
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no because if I can't understand Geordie, Liverpudlian, Glaswegian and that accent from york (Farmer one) why should we have other accents or dialects from people not natives of this Country.

Can you imagine an Indian TV presenter? I'd smash my TV if that ever happened. News should be clear and concise not confusing and crap!
 
Efour said:
How is it thick :confused: you really have no idea do you. :rolleyes:
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Redz said:
Lol. I think he means thick as in a very broad accent. :p

Edit: Having said that though, is there such a thing as an intelligent cockney accent?
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lol Efour :D As above thick as in broad/strong difficult to understand.

I remember walking down Camden Market years ago and some bloke was trying to talk to me. To this day I have no clue what he was saying :D



EDIT:
Oh Lysander everyone 'gets you' but I guess there weren't enough emoticons on my post for you so here's some to make up for it :rolleyes::eek::confused::p:D
 
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Cambofrog said:
[..]
That thing with grass/grarse, glass/glarse and the general elongation of vowels. What's all that **** about. [..]
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Variations in the degree of influence of other languages, apparently. Modern English has roots in several languages but the extent of each wasn't exactly the same all over England. So there's a bit more Norman French influence in the south, a bit more Old Norse influence in the north, etc. That's what I've been told and it sounds plausible.

Something that is common all over the country is the lack of consistency when it comes to vowel length (and many other things). Modern English is a patchwork of bits made to fit together by common usage.

I think a bigger distinction needs to be made between accent and dialect. We need a standard English for common use. Different accents are fine, but differences in syntax, grammar and vocabulary reduce communication.

I moved from one region to another when I was 18. I still have my original accent and the local accent still sounds like an accent to me. That doesn't matter...but if anyone speaks in the local dialect then they may as well be speaking Klingon to me.
 
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OP clearly hasn't listened to Radio One news reports lately then..

I find the welsh accent rather comical and I just can't seem to take what he says seriously. :o
 
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